For Driving Or Controlling Laser Patents (Class 372/38.02)
-
Patent number: 8472488Abstract: An algorithm to drive a semiconductor laser diode (LD) is disclosed. The algorithm assumes that the modulation current to keep the extinction ratio in constant has temperature dependence represented by an exponential function under the average output power of the LD is kept constant by an auto-power-control (APC). When a tracking error exists and the approximation by an exponential function is turned out in failure, the algorithm adds a correction to the exponential function determined by a difference between a practically measured modulation current and another modulation current calculated from a value determined for a bared LD.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Moriyasu Ichino, Tadashi Sakai
-
Publication number: 20130156056Abstract: A shunt driver for driving an LD is disclosed. The shunt driver has the push-pull architecture with the high side driver and the low side driver. The high side driver is driven by a positive phase signal superposed with a signal with a phase opposite to the negative phase signal. The low side driver is driven by a negative phase signal superposed with a signal with a phase opposite to the positive phase signal. Adjusting the magnitude of the superposed signals, the driving current for the LD has the peaking in the rising and falling edges thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
-
Publication number: 20130146752Abstract: An optical-electrical module includes a base board, a laser diode, an integrated circuit, and a lens unit. The laser diode and the integrated circuit are both fixed on the base board. The lens unit and the base board cooperatively define a receiving space to receive the laser diode and the integrated circuit. The laser diode has a transmitting window at an end of the laser diode away from the base board. The integrated circuit drives the laser diode to transmit optical signals. The lens unit has an inner surface facing the base board, and the inner surface of the lens unit has a light transmitting area. The lens unit includes a metal film formed on the inner surface of the lens unit except on the light transmitting area.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: KAI-WEN WU
-
Patent number: 8461560Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed which includes or employs an EUV light source comprising a laser device outputting a laser beam, a beam delivery system directing the laser beam to an irradiation site, and a material for interaction with the laser beam at the irradiation site to create an EUV light emitting plasma for use in processing substrates.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Cymer, Inc.Inventors: Alexander I. Ershov, Alexander N. Bykanov, Oleh V. Khodykin, Igor V. Fomenkov
-
Publication number: 20130140286Abstract: A laser machining system useful for machining internal cavities where visual monitoring is difficult or impossible may include a laser generator, a rod configured to extend from and retract towards the laser generator, an articulated mirror mounted on the rod and configured to reflect a laser beam generated by the laser generator, one or more sensors, and a controller that may receive data from the sensor and determine how and whether to manipulate, based on the data, the rod and the articulated mirror to direct the laser beam generated by the laser generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Inventors: Herbert Chidsey Roberts, III, Glenn Curtis Taxacher
-
Publication number: 20130121357Abstract: An optical disk drive system associated with a laser diode is described. The optical disk drive system comprises a current generator for receiving input signals; a current switch coupled to receive timing signals; a current driver coupled to receive output signals from the current switch and the current generator, the current driver further comprising a driver with wave shape control selected from the group consisting of a laser diode read driver and a laser diode write driver, wherein the driver with shape control is operative for transmitting at least one output signal that is a scaled version of at least one of the output signals received from the current generator, wherein the current driver is operative for transmitting at least one output signal driving the laser diode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Texas Instruments Incorporated
-
Publication number: 20130121356Abstract: An apparatus includes a first input transistor to include a base receiving a drive signal for an object to be driven, a first current source connected to an emitter side of the first input transistor and configured to control a modulation amplitude of a signal flowing to a collector of the first input transistor, a second current source connected to a collector side of the first input transistor and configured to control a biased current of a signal flowing to the collector, a first inductor configured to dispose between the collector and the second current source, and an output element connected between the second current source and the first inductor and configured to output, to the object, a current signal of which the modulation amplitude is controlled by the first current source and the biased current is controlled by the second current source.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: FUJITSU LIMITED
-
Publication number: 20130114632Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of laser diodes includes an optical transmitter coupled to the laser diode driver for each laser diode. An optical signal including bi-phase encoded data is provided to each laser diode driver. The optical signal includes current level and pulse duration information at which each of the diodes is to be driven. Upon receiving a trigger signal, the laser diode drivers operate the laser diodes using the current level and pulse duration information to output a laser beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Steven Telford
-
Patent number: 8432110Abstract: The present invention includes a laser element, a laser-element temperature measuring unit that measures a temperature of a laser element, a harmonic generation element that converts the wavelength of a laser light output by the laser element, a harmonic-generation-element temperature measuring unit that measures a temperature of the harmonic generation element, a harmonic-generation-element temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature of the harmonic generation element, a storage unit that stores therein a relationship between the temperature of the laser element and a target temperature of the harmonic generation element at which a power of the laser light output by the harmonic generation element reaches a maximum, and a controlling unit that controls the harmonic-generation-element temperature adjusting unit so that the temperature of the harmonic generation element is adjusted to the target temperature obtained from the temperature of the measured laser element in accordance with the relationsType: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Shoji Morita, Takayuki Yanagisawa
-
Patent number: 8428092Abstract: A high-power laser unit capable of accurately correcting laser output from low to rated outputs, even when the laser unit has a laser power monitor which may be affected by environmental factors inside or outside the laser unit, by effectively reducing environmental factors. The laser unit has a laser power monitor for measuring laser output, and a laser controller for correcting the laser output by correcting an amount of excitation energy to a laser power supply so that a measurement value coincides with a laser output command value. The laser unit has a laser output commanding part for generating a laser output command. When it is not necessary to correct the laser output command, the laser output command is converted into an excitation energy command value and sent to the power supply. Otherwise, an output correcting part of the laser controller corrects the laser output command.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Fanuc CorporationInventors: Koji Hayano, Atsushi Mori, Yuji Nishikawa
-
Patent number: 8427917Abstract: An optical-pickup apparatus includes: a first laser light source including a first laser diode to emit a laser beam having a first wavelength, and a back-monitor photodetector to receive the laser beam emitted in a backward direction, not being an optical-disc direction, and output a first monitor signal; a second laser-light source including a second laser diode to emit a laser beam having a second wavelength; a light-receiving circuit including a front-monitor photodetector to receive the laser beam emitted in a forward direction, being the optical-disc direction, and output a second monitor signal, and a switch circuit to be inputted with the first and second monitor signals, and output the first or second monitor signal according to a switch signal; and first and second drive circuits to drive the first and second laser diodes according to the first and second monitor signals outputted from the light-receiving circuit, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLCInventors: Hisayoshi Uchiyama, Masashi Arai, Hiroshi Kojima, Rui Kurihara
-
Patent number: 8427732Abstract: An uncooled optical semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor laser outputting laser light; an electric field absorption optical modulator absorbing light depending on a voltage applied to the electric field absorption optical modulator; a monitor photodiode monitoring backlight of the semiconductor laser; an auto power control circuit feeding back current of the monitor photodiode to a bias current supplied to the semiconductor laser; and a bias circuit feeding back an average value of a light absorption current to control a bias voltage applied to the electric field absorption optical modulator. The light absorption current is generated when the electric field absorption optical modulator absorbs the laser light.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Norio Okada
-
Publication number: 20130094530Abstract: A semiconductor laser driving circuit supplies a drive current to a semiconductor laser diode connected to an output terminal based on an input signal inputted thereto through an input terminal, thereby controlling the semiconductor laser diode. The semiconductor laser driving circuit includes a first supply portion supplying a bias current, and a first supply signal having a frequency component whose frequency is equal to or lower than a first frequency of the input signal, and a second supply portion supplying a second supply signal having a frequency component whose frequency is higher than a second frequency of the input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: Sony CorporationInventor: Sony Corporation
-
Patent number: 8422529Abstract: A tunable laser light source having emission wavelengths in a visible or an adjoining spectral region includes a rotationally disposed laser substrate having more than one emission wavelength, a drive unit coupled to the laser substrate, a pulsed light source having a pulse transmitter, a trigger device, and a signal-delay unit. The trigger device, the signal-delay unit and the pulse transmitter are sequentially connected downstream of the drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Karlsruher Institut Fuer TechnologieInventors: Thomas Woggon, Soenke Klinkhammer, Sebastian Valouch, Johannes Bach, Uli Lemmer
-
Patent number: 8416820Abstract: An active laser guarding system 1 comprises at least one screen 3 provided with at least two spaced apart conductors 7, 9 each defining a respective electrically conductive path that is electrically separate from the other. The screen 3 comprises material, at least between the two conductors 7, 9, which is arranged to carbonize when struck by a laser beam to form a further conductive path 19 which extends between, and electrically connects, the two conductors 7, 9. The system 1 further comprises a detector 15 operative to detect the further conductive path 19 so formed, the detector 15 being operative to generate a laser deactivation signal response to detecting the further conductive path 19.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Lasermet LimitedInventor: Stuart Ward
-
Publication number: 20130083817Abstract: A laser device that can prevent abnormal oscillations in the amplifier is provided. The laser device includes: a seed light source (10) that outputs seed light; a pumping light source (20); an amplification optical fiber (30) as the amplifier that amplifies the seed light with an element pumped by the pumping light source (20); a monitor unit (50) that is provided between the seed light source (10) and the amplification optical fiber (30), and monitors the intensity of the light output from the amplification optical fiber (30); and a light source controller (61) that controls the seed light source (10). In this laser device, when the light input to the monitor unit (50) has an intensity equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity while the seed light is not input to the amplification optical fiber (30), the light source controller (61) forces to output the seed light from the seed light source (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.Inventor: FUJIKURA LTD.
-
Patent number: 8411716Abstract: A circuit assembly controlling an optical system to generate optical pulses is provided. The optical system includes a seed light source optically coupled to an amplitude modulator. The circuit assembly includes a control circuit which generates a pulsed seed drive signal for driving the seed laser source, as well as logic signals defining successions of ON and OFF states and having a predetermined relative timing relationship. One or more of the logic signals is delayed by a corresponding programmable delay line to adjust the relative timing relationship between the logic signals. A logic gating module combines the logic signals according to one or more logical rule, thereby providing a modulator drive signal. Using this circuit assembly, the optical system outputs an optical pulse at each ON state of the modulator drive signal synchronized with the passage of one of the seed optical pulses through the amplitude modulator.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Institut National D'OptiqueInventors: Michel Jacob, Louis Desbiens, Marco Michele Sisto
-
Patent number: 8411721Abstract: Two excimer lasers have individual pulsing circuits each including a storage capacitor which is charged and then discharged through a pulse transformer to generate an electrical pulse, which is delivered to the laser to generate a light pulse. The time between generation of the electrical pulse and creation of the light pulse is dependent on the charged voltage of the capacitor. The capacitors are charged while disconnected from each other. The generation of the electrical pulses is synchronized by connecting the capacitors together for a brief period after the capacitors are charged to equalize the charging voltages. The capacitors are disconnected from each other before they are discharged.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Coherent GmbHInventors: Andreas Targsdorf, Rainer Desor
-
Publication number: 20130077646Abstract: To a laser that has no tracking error a desired laser modulation current to maintain constant Optical Modulation Amplitude (OMA) is closely proportional to the laser bias current, lb, at any temperature when the laser is under constant power according to embodiments. To a laser that has tracking error a desired laser modulation current to maintain constant Optical Extension Ratio (ER) is closely proportional to the laser bias current, lb, at any temperature when the laser is under constant power according to embodiments. This phenomenon is appears apply to many if not all types of lasers. A laser modulation control is provided that determines a modulation current based on the laser bias current. Thus, embodiments may maintain performance and compensate for temperature changes without the need to actually measure temperature thereby eliminating the need for temperature sensors and their associated parameter vs. temperature look-up tables or dithering techniques used in the past.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventors: Jiaxi Kan, David Hui, Steven Fong
-
Patent number: 8406263Abstract: A laser diode read driver includes a first transistor producing a first voltage in response to receiving a first current signal. A transconductor has a first input coupled to receive the first voltage and produces a second current signal in response to differences between signals received on the first input and a second input. A second transistor is coupled to the second input and produces a third current signal in response to receiving the second current signal. A third transistor is coupled to the second transistor and the second input and produces an output current signal in response to receiving the third current signal. The first transistor is scaled to the first transistor by the inverse of a gain factor. First and second resistors are coupled between the first and third transistors and a low voltage supply, and are scaled to each other by the gain factor.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Douglas Warren Dean
-
Patent number: 8406262Abstract: An LD driver is disclosed, which improves the rising and falling times of the driving current for the LD. The LD driver includes an inverting amplifier, an emitter follower connected in down stream of the inverting amplifier, a driving transistor driven by the emitter follower, and a current-mirror circuit connected in series to the inverting amplifier. The mirror current generated from the current flowing in the inverting amplifier is provided to the output of the emitter follower served for discharging the input capacitance of the driving transistor.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Keiji Tanaka
-
Patent number: 8406261Abstract: A laser driving device includes: a pulse signal generating unit that, after a voltage has risen from a predetermined reference voltage to a predetermined output voltage and a time of a sum of an oscillation period of relaxation oscillation and a light emission start time in a predetermined laser diode has nearly elapsed, generates a pulse signal having a waveform that falls divisionally in two or more stages from the output voltage to the reference voltage; and an output unit that generates a laser drive signal by performing signal processing on the pulse signal and outputs the signal to the laser diode.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Goro Fujita, Tsutomu Maruyama, Seiji Kobayashi
-
Publication number: 20130058368Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a lasing element, a laser driver and logic. The laser driver is configured to drive the lasing element at multiple current levels, and the laser driver includes a switching network, multiple direct current (DC) loops, and an output circuit. The switching network receives a differential input signal, and each DC loop is coupled to the switching network. The output circuit is also coupled to the lasing element, and the logic is coupled to each of the DC current loops, where the logic selects one or more of the DC loops in each (of several) modes. Each mode generates one or more output lasing currents for the lasing element that corresponds to a one or more of the current levels in response to the differential input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Douglas W. Dean, Jeremy R. Kuehlwein
-
Patent number: 8391724Abstract: Included are a first modulator, a second modulator, a first optical amplifier that amplifies an output of the first modulator at an amplification factor based on a first bias signal, a second optical amplifier that amplifies an output of the second modulator at an amplification factor based on a second bias signal, an optical phase adjuster that phase-rotates an output of the second optical amplifier, an optical multiplexer that multiplexes an output of the first optical amplifier with an output of the optical phase adjuster, and a second bias corrector that generates a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal, which are complementary to each other, and obtains a first bias value and a second bias value based on a change of strength of an output signal of the optical multiplexer. The first and second pulse signals are superimposed on the first and second bias signals, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Aruga, Keita Mochizuki, Atsushi Sugitatsu
-
Publication number: 20130051415Abstract: Provided are assemblies and processes for activating light emitting devices. A first current sink is in electrical communication with a common source through a current node and configured to draw a first current through the current node in response to a respective control signal. A second current sink is also provided in electrical communication with the current node and in parallel with the first current sink, also configured to draw a second current through the current node in response to a respective control signal. An aggregate current is drawn through the array, determined as a combination of the first and second currents. A commanded current from the first current sink can be shunted around the second array and the second current sink, providing a capability to series both the first and second laser diode light-emitting arrays, while simultaneously drawing different current amplitudes through each array from a common potential source.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventors: Michael S. Lackey, Thomas H. Alford, Robert F. Stiffler, David Filgas
-
Publication number: 20130044774Abstract: An intensity of radiation emitted from at least two laser diodes of a projecting apparatus is optimized by providing an offset distance between at least two focal points of the at least two laser diodes and providing a maximum value for radiation intensity emitted by each of the laser diodes, irrespective of simultaneous transmission by one of the laser diodes with another of the laser diodes. The intensity of the radiation emitted from each of the at least two laser diodes is adjusted such that an aggregated value of the radiation intensity emitted by all of the laser diodes within a predefined period of time may exceed a threshold value allowed for the maximum permissible exposure to radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL N.V.Inventor: Sason Sourani
-
Publication number: 20130044778Abstract: An optical source including a laser source and a waveguide is provided. The laser source includes a laser cavity having a laser optical path length extending from a DBR grating to a reflective laser output facet, and emits an output beam at a fundamental wavelength. The waveguide includes an input facet and an output face. The waveguide extends along a waveguide optical length from the input facet of the waveguide to the output facet of the waveguide, and the waveguide is optically coupled to the laser source, thereby forming an external cavity having an optical path length extending from the reflective laser output facet to the input facet of the waveguide that is substantially equal to the laser optical path length.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Inventors: Jacques Gollier, Dmitri Vladislavovich Kuksenkov
-
Publication number: 20130044777Abstract: An optical transmitter is disclosed, where the optical transmitter shows an emission wavelength kept stable in one of grid wavelengths of the WDM system during the boot of the transmitter. The optical transmitter includes an LD, a TEC to control a temperature of the LD, and a controller. Detecting the flag to enable the optical output, the controller increases the driving current of the LD concurrently with the decrease of the temperature of the TEC to compensate the self-heating of the LD due to the driving current.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Shogo AMARI
-
Patent number: 8376549Abstract: A laser projection display and a method of compensating for image distortion of the same stereoscopic liquid crystal display device having a touch panel and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. Herein, the method includes displaying a picture including a red image, a green image, and a blue image, selecting one of the red image, the green image, and the blue image so as to perform pixel alignment of the picture, calculating pixel coordinate values x+dx and y+dy corresponding to the selected image (herein, x represents the x coordinate value prior to alignment, y represents the y coordinate value prior to alignment, dx represents a varied x coordinate value after alignment, and dy represents a varied y coordinate value after alignment), calculating distortion compensation coordinate values X? and Y? corresponding to the pixel coordinate values x+dx and y+dy, and mapping the distortion compensation values X? and Y?, thereby compensating for an image distortion occurring in the selected image.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jung Hoon Seo, Jung Hwan Choi, Jae Wook Kwon
-
Patent number: 8379681Abstract: A disclosed laser diode driving device drives laser diodes with driving currents obtained by adding switch currents to corresponding bias currents and includes a common switch current generating circuit configured to generate a common switch current according to an input signal; switch current generating circuits provided for the corresponding laser diodes and configured to generate the switch currents based on the common switch current and input signals; switches configured to control the output of the switch currents to the corresponding laser diodes according to input signals; bias current generating circuits configured to generate the bias currents and output the generated bias currents to the corresponding laser diodes; and a control unit configured to detect the light intensities of the respective laser diodes and to control the common switch current generating circuit, the switch current generating circuits, and the switches to adjust the light intensities of the respective laser diodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hiroaki Kyogoku
-
Publication number: 20130039373Abstract: A laser diode read driver includes a first transistor producing a first voltage in response to receiving a first current signal. A transconductor has a first input coupled to receive the first voltage and produces a second current signal in response to differences between signals received on the first input and a second input. A second transistor is coupled to the second input and produces a third current signal in response to receiving the second current signal. A third transistor is coupled to the second transistor and the second input and produces an output current signal in response to receiving the third current signal. The first transistor is scaled to the first transistor by the inverse of a gain factor. First and second resistors are coupled between the first and third transistors and a low voltage supply, and are scaled to each other by the gain factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Douglas Warren Dean
-
Patent number: 8369368Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laser driving device including: a sample-hold section; a first pulse generating section; a second pulse generating section; a light emission waveform generating section; a storing section; and a sampling pulse generating section.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tsutomu Kurihara, Motoi Kimura, Koichi Yokoyama
-
Patent number: 8368040Abstract: A radiation system includes a target material supply configured to supply droplets of target material along a trajectory, and a laser system that includes an amplifier and optics. The optics are configured to establish a first beam path which passes through the amplifier and through a first location on the trajectory, and to establish a second beam path which passes through the amplifier and through a second location on the trajectory. The laser system is configured to generate a first pulse of laser radiation when photons emitted from the amplifier are reflected along the first beam path by a droplet of target material at the first location on the trajectory. The laser system is configured to generate a second pulse of laser radiation when photons emitted from the amplifier are reflected along the second beam path by the droplet of target material at the second location on the trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Erik Roelof Loopstra, Vladimir Vitalevich Ivanov, Johannes Hubertus Josephina Moors, Gerardus Hubertus Petrus Maria Swinkels, Andrei Mikhailovich Yakunin, Dennis De Graaf, Uwe Bruno Heini Stamm
-
Patent number: 8369369Abstract: A method and system to drive large off-chip loads, such as, for example, laser diodes, wherein the system includes an integrated circuit coupled to an external differential diode load. Alternatively, the external diode load may be driven single-ended. The integrated circuit includes a data buffer device and a clock buffer device. The integrated circuit also includes a multiplexer device coupled to the clock buffer device configured to multiplex a data input signal and a clock input signal received at respective inputs of the integrated circuit. If the external diode is single-ended, the data input signal is transmitted to the data buffer device, which is then used solely to drive the diode load. If the diode load is differential, the data buffer device receives the data input signal. At the same time, the multiplexer device receives both the data input signal and the clock input signal and selects the data signal to drive the clock buffer device.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: NetLogic Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Shwetabh Verma, Shahriar Rabii
-
Publication number: 20130022069Abstract: The present invention relates to the packaging of high power laser(s) in a surface mount technology (SMT) configuration at low-cost using wafer-scale processing. A reflective sidewall is used to redirect the output emission from edge-emitting lasers through an optical element (e.g., a diffuser, lens, etc.). A common electrical pad centered inside the package provides p-side connection to multiple laser diodes (i.e. for power scalability). Thick plating (e.g. 75 um to 125 um) with a heat and electrically conductive material, e.g. copper, on a raised bonding area of a substrate provides good heat dissipation and spreading to the substrate layer during operation. The composite CTE of the substrate layer, e.g. AlN, and the heat/electrical conductive plating, e.g. Cu, substantially matches well with the laser substrates, e.g. GaAs-based, without the requirement for an additional submount.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventors: Kong Weng Lee, James Yonghong Guo, Vincent V. Wong, Jay A. Skidmore, An-Chun Tien
-
Publication number: 20130016748Abstract: An optical module including a transimpedance amplifier capable of realizing a high-speed and high-quality receiving operation is provided. A transimpedance amplifier includes: a pre-amplifier using a single-end current signal as an input and converting the single-end current signal to a single-end voltage signal; an automatic decision threshold control detecting a center electric potential of the single-end voltage signal serving as an output of the pre-amplifier; a post-amplifier differentiating and amplifying the single-end voltage signal of the output of the pre-amplifier; and a power circuit supplying power to the pre-amplifier. Particularly, in accordance with an input voltage signal or an output voltage signal of the pre-amplifier, the power circuit outputs a varied current that flows to a supply terminal of the pre-amplifier and a varied current having a phase opposite to that of the varied current. Thus, the power supply current change is cancelled out.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Takashi TAKEMOTO, Hiroki YAMASHITA, Shinji TSUJI
-
Publication number: 20130016747Abstract: A command apparatus (10) for a plurality of laser power supplies (11, 12) comprises: a command generating section (5) generating commands for the laser power supplies; and a separating section (36) separating the generated commands into a bias command, an output command, an offset command and a gain command, wherein the bias command and the output command are common to the laser power supplies, the offset command and the gain command are defined at least in accordance with the discharge tubes corresponding to the laser power supplies respectively, wherein the command apparatus further comprises a transmitting section (37) transmitting, to the laser power supplies, the bias and the output command which are common to the laser power supplies and, transmitting the offset and the gain command defined at least in accordance with the discharge tubes corresponding to the laser power supplies respectively, corresponding to the laser power supplies.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: FANUC CORPORATIONInventors: Masahiro HONDA, Hajime IKEMOTO
-
Patent number: 8351477Abstract: A method of operating a digitally modulated solid state laser is disclosed. The laser is optically pumped by a current-supply driven diode-laser radiation and with output-power stabilized at a desired value by a light regulator cooperative with a power monitor and the current source is disclosed. When the laser is turned on, the current-source is enabled and the light-regulator is disabled. A current regulator allows current from the current-supply to increase until the monitored power reaches the desired value. At this point, the light regulator is enabled and the light regulator assumes control of the current-supply for maintaining the output-power at the desired level.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Coherent GmbHInventors: Stefan Böttcher, Axel Kneip
-
Publication number: 20130003767Abstract: A directly driven laser includes multiple contacts, with at least one of the contacts for injecting current into the laser such that the laser reaches at least a lasing threshold and at least one of the contacts for providing a data signal to the laser. In some embodiments a differential data signal is effectively provided to a front and a rear section of the laser, while lasing threshold current is provided to a central portion of the laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: Kaiam Corp.Inventors: Gideon Yoffe, Bardia Pezeshki, Thomas P. Schrans
-
Patent number: 8344654Abstract: A driving circuit supplies a suppression current (I4) which reduces a decrease in a driving current (Idrive) immediately after occurrence of an overshoot at the time of the rise of the driving current (Idrive) to a laser diode (1). The driving circuit draws a suppression current (I5) which reduces an increase in the driving current (Idrive) immediately after occurrence of an undershoot at the time of the fall of the driving current (Idrive) from the driving current (Idrive).Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventors: Tsuyoshi Horiuchi, Takehiko Umeyama
-
Patent number: 8345721Abstract: A method to control an LD (laser diode) is disclosed. The method compares the operating temperature of the LD with a transition temperature. When the former temperature exceeds the latter, the modulation current is set based on the bias current, which is independently determined by the APC loop. On the other hand, the operating temperature is less than the transition temperature; the modulation current is determined by the operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Moriyasu Ichino, Hiroto Ishibashi, Toru Ukai, Yuanzhe Li
-
Patent number: 8345722Abstract: The present invention provides a method of driving a semiconductor laser, where the method can control changes in the internal temperature of a device as well as control optical output using a driving current. A method of driving a semiconductor laser includes steps of: preliminary driving the semiconductor laser by preliminary activating at a current value larger than a threshold value; de-activating the semiconductor laser, after the step of preliminary driving; and starting a formation of a latent image on a photosensitive drum based on a latent image formation signal, after the step of de-activating.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takeshi Uchida
-
Patent number: 8340525Abstract: A method for stabilizing multi-channel optical signal wavelengths includes the following steps. A first detecting signal is stacked on a plurality of driving signals in sequence. A plurality of optical signals generated after being driven by the plurality of driving signals is combined into one optical total signal. A wavelength detection is performed on the optical total signal. A second detecting signal with a frequency band the same as that of the first detecting signal is extracted from the signals obtained after the wavelength detection. The wavelength of the optical signal in the corresponding channel among the multiple channels is controlled according to the second detecting signal. A device for stabilizing multi-channel optical signal wavelengths is also provided. Using the above method or device, the multi-channel optical signal wavelengths can be stabilized, which requires less elements, and has a simple circuit structure, a high integration level, and a low cost.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yusheng Bai, Naisheng Zhang, Changgui Xiao
-
Patent number: 8331408Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber laser device 100. In the preliminary pumping state, the laser light is not output from the seed laser light source 10, the pumping light is output from the pumping light source 10, and the pumping light has such an intensity that the wavelength of the laser light emitted and output from the amplification optical fiber 30 is not converted by the wavelength converter 71. In the output state, the laser light is output from the seed laser light source 10, the pumping light is output from the pumping light source 20, and the laser light and the pumping light have such intensities that the wavelength of the laser light amplified and output by the amplification optical fiber 30 is converted by the wavelength converter 71.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiro Oba, Michihiro Nakai
-
Publication number: 20120307852Abstract: In a CO2 gas discharge laser energized by a radio frequency (RF) power source a transformer having selectively variable output impedance is used to match output impedance of the power source to the impedance of discharge electrodes of the laser. A similar transformer can be used to impose a selective variable phase-shift on the RF power from the source. The variable impedance transformer can also be used for impedance matching between amplifier stages in the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Coherent, Inc.Inventors: Frederick W. HAUER, Patrick T. TRACY
-
Patent number: 8325772Abstract: In an optical disk apparatus, by obtaining the temperature in the vicinity of a laser in the apparatus, the power source voltage of the laser driver is controlled such that power consumed by the headroom of the laser driver is reduced to the maximum extent without deteriorating the current drive characteristic of the headroom when the temperature becomes higher. The laser driving current of the laser driver is monitored to control the power source of the laser driver such that the power consumed by the headroom is possibly reduced while maintaining the current drive characteristic of the headroom for the monitored current.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Koichiro Nishimura, Masayuki Inoue, Toshifumi Takeuchi
-
Patent number: 8320420Abstract: A laser bias control and monitoring circuit receives a monitor diode current on an input node and generate a bias current for a laser diode on an output node where the monitor diode current flows into (positive polarity) or out of (negative polarity) the input node. The laser bias control and monitoring circuit includes a polarity independent current sensing circuit configured to receive the monitor diode current in either positive or negative polarity and to generate a normalized output current having a magnitude proportional to a magnitude of the monitor diode current. In this manner, the laser bias control and monitoring circuit can be used with laser diode and monitor diode combination in either the common anode or the common cathode configuration, or with the monitor diode current being provided from the anode or cathode of the monitor diode. No reprogramming or reconfiguration of the circuit is required.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Micrel, Inc.Inventors: George W. Brown, Thomas S. Wong
-
Publication number: 20120294324Abstract: A semiconductor laser drive circuit controlling a semiconductor laser diode connected to an output terminal by providing a drive electric current to the semiconductor laser diode includes: a constant electric current source configured to provide an electric current to the output terminal, the constant electric current source being connected to a first electric power terminal and the output terminal; a current sinking circuit connected to the output terminal and a second electric power terminal; a current sourcing circuit configured to provide a predetermined electric current to the output terminal or the current sinking circuit, the current sourcing circuit being connected to the first electric power terminal and the output terminal; and a terminating resistor having a resistance component equal to that of the semiconductor laser diode, the terminating resistor being connected to the circuit sinking circuit and the current sourcing circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Yoshifumi Miyajima, Katsuya Nakashima
-
Publication number: 20120280972Abstract: A scanning projector includes a scanning mirror that sweep a beam in two dimensions. The beam is created by multiple laser light sources, at least two of which create light at substantially the same wavelength. The two light sources at the same wavelength may be driven at different times, or may be driven simultaneously (equally or unequally).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.Inventor: Mark Champion
-
Patent number: 8306079Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, Joseph S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman