Particular Active Medium (e.g., Crystal, Plasma, Fluid, Etc.) Patents (Class 359/342)
  • Patent number: 11803126
    Abstract: A radiation system for controlling pulses of radiation comprising an optical element configured to interact with the pulses of radiation to control a characteristic of the pulses of radiation, an actuator configured to actuate the optical element according to a control signal received from a controller, the control signal at least partially depending on a reference pulse repetition rate of the radiation system and, a processor configured to receive pulse information from the controller and use the pulse information to determine an adjustment to the control signal. The radiation system may be used to improve an accuracy of a lithographic apparatus operating in a multi-focal imaging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Cymer, LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Tai Teng, Rahul Ahlawat
  • Patent number: 11411368
    Abstract: An apparatus for novel technique of high-speed magnetic recording based on manipulating pinning layer in magnetic tunnel junction-based memory by using terahertz magnon laser is provided. The apparatus comprises a terahertz writing head configured to generate a tunable terahertz writing signal and a memory cell including a spacer that comprises a thickness configured based on Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interaction. The memory cell comprises two separate memory states: a first binary state and a second binary state; wherein the first binary memory state corresponds to a ferromagnetic sign of the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interaction corresponding to a first thickness value of the spacer; and wherein the second binary memory state corresponds to an antiferromagnetic sign of the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interaction corresponding to a second thickness value of the spacer. The thickness of the spacer is manipulated by the tunable terahertz writing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Magtera, Inc.
    Inventor: Boris G. Tankhilevich
  • Patent number: 11367988
    Abstract: A gas laser device includes a shielding plate that is a first shielding member, and a shielding plate that is a second shielding member. The first shielding member includes a first opening, and a second opening. A laser beam that is to be propagated to discharge regions passes through the first opening. The laser beam that has taken a round trip through the discharge regions after passing through the first opening passes through the second opening. The second shielding plate faces the first shielding member the discharge regions located therebetween. The shielding plate includes an opening that is a third opening. The laser beam that has been propagated through the first opening and the discharge regions, and the laser beam that is to be propagated to the second opening through the discharge regions pass through the third opening. A plane shape of the third opening includes a rectilinear segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yamamoto, Junichi Nishimae, Yuzuru Tadokoro, Masashi Naruse, Takuya Kawashima
  • Patent number: 10897116
    Abstract: A uniform temperature profile is provided across the width of the core of a ribbon fiber laser or amplifier by the use of insulating elements at the core edges and a spatially variable gain in the fiber core. High average power ribbon fibers, enable a variety of applications such as practical laser cutting and beam combining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Derrek R. Drachenberg, Jay W. Dawson, Michael J. Messerly, Paul H. Pax
  • Patent number: 10862260
    Abstract: A system and method for integrating a direct compressor with a primary laser source and fast compressor while also reducing the number of mechanical elements and gas interfaces. A nonlinear scattering aperture combiner does not need to be optically multiplexed in order to drive a direct compressor stage, but by producing a large temporal compression ratio it will then pump the fast compressor. In order to accomplish this, a technique for transversely segmenting by color and/or polarization of the optical extraction beams of the direct compressor is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Innoven Energy LLC
    Inventor: Robert O. Hunter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10804671
    Abstract: An apparatus for generation of tunable terahertz radiation is provided. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of terahertz magnon laser generators, whereas at least one such terahertz magnon laser generator comprises a multilayer column, and a terahertz transparent medium separating at least two such terahertz magnon laser generators. At least one such multilayer column further comprises: a substrate, a bottom electrode coupled with the substrate, a bottom layer coupled with the bottom electrode, a tunnel junction coupled with the bottom layer, a top layer coupled with the tunnel junction, a pinning layer coupled with the spin injector, and a top electrode coupled with the pinning layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Magtera, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Kirchner, Boris G. Tankhilevich, Charles Thomas Thurman
  • Patent number: 10267681
    Abstract: A quantum yield calculation method uses a quantum yield calculation program for a spectrophotofluorometer. When a quantum yield is calculated using a spectrophotofluorometer 1, a calibration processing unit executes the processing to calibrate a photon number A2 that is a photon number of the fluorescence in a blank measurement state based on a photon number A1 that is the photon number of an excitation light in the blank measurement state and a photon number B1 that is the photon number of an excitation light in the sample measurement state. A quantum yield calculation processing unit calculates a first quantum yield based on a background photon number A2? after a calibration in addition to the photon number A1 of the excitation light in the blank measurement state and the photon number B2 of the fluorescence in the sample measurement state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10211588
    Abstract: Embodiments include an optical configuration of a laser for driving an inertial confinement target that may include a section configured to generate long pulse laser light (Primary Laser Source) and then to compress the long pulse with multiple compression stages to a desired pulse length, energy, and beam quality (Compression Section). These configurations can utilize compression stages that do not include any material optics operating near damage fluence, and that do not require material optics exposed to high fluences to couple compression stages to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Innoven Energy LLC
    Inventor: Robert O. Hunter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9862498
    Abstract: A high-speed propulsion system for a high-speed vehicle includes an air intake duct, a compression section, a combustion section, and an expansion section. A gas dynamic laser generator is disposed proximate the expansion section and generates a source of laser light. A laser transmission mechanism receives the laser light and transmits the laser light from the gas dynamic laser generator to the combustion section and to presents the laser light into the air/fuel mixture of the flowpath which promotes mixing, combustion, and flame stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventors: Byron Wells, Matthias Ihme
  • Patent number: 9722705
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling, monitoring, and communicating with an optical device, photonic integrated circuit or subassembly is provided. The apparatus includes an optical device or subassembly; and afield programmable device including programmable hardware gates coupled to the optical device or subassembly. The field programmable device may be configured to implement a plurality of functions at a gate level for controlling, monitoring, and/or communicating with the optical device or subassembly, each of the plurality of functions being configured to execute as a concurrent process, without use of a microprocessor or a microcontroller. Further, a programmable optical device, such as a programmable optical transmitter, optical subassembly, or transceiver based on a tunable laser having field programmable device centric control systems with software-enabled features offer extensive real-time control and monitoring functionality based on for example actual traffic flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: OE SOLUTIONS AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Blumenthal, Holger Klein, Todd Cicchi, Patrick Bybee, Henrik Poulsen
  • Patent number: 9653874
    Abstract: Coherent Trichel Pulse transient energy emissions by directing energetic triggers for driving to unstable a Trichel Pulse generator (TPG) charged electrode or gap to elicit a phased or delayed emitted photon energy Trichel Pulse and electronic driven current pulse nearly contemporaneously due to electronic flow eruptive cascade into the discharge gap. Triggered random laser spherical emission or directed energy provided by concentric spherical or linear resonator mirrors optically pumping the spherical center TPG glow region of maximum energy densities at the spherical center provided with take off linear transmission of the resonator stimulated emissions providing linear propagation and targeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: William J. Asprey
  • Patent number: 9249656
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for operating a laser at a downhole location is disclosed. A gas is configured to receive an output of a laser and to absorb a selected wavelength of the laser corresponding to a selected spectral line of the gas. A pressure device reduces broadening of the selected spectral line related to a temperature at the downhole location. A photodetector receives light from the gas chamber and provides a measurement related to the received light. A processor alters an operating parameter of the laser using the obtained measurement to operate the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Sebastian Csutak
  • Patent number: 9136665
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a ferromagnetic conductive material including a magnon gain medium (MGM) and a tunnel junction coupled to the ferromagnetic conductive material are provided. The magnon gain medium (MGM) further comprises a conduction band that is split into two sub bands separated by an exchange energy gap, a first sub band having spin up, and a second sub band having spin down. The applied bias voltage is configured to shift the Fermi level of the external metallic contact with respect to the Fermi level of the ferromagnetic conductive material so that the injected electrons are configured to tunnel into the second sub band having spin down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: MAGTERA, INC.
    Inventors: Boris G. Tankhilevich, Yehiel Korenblit
  • Patent number: 9064701
    Abstract: Methods synthesizing nanowires in solution at low temperatures (e.g., about 400° C. or lower) are provided. In the present methods, the nanowires are synthesized by exposing nanowire precursors to metal nanocrystals in a nanowire growth solution comprising a solvent. The metal nanocrystals serve as seed particles that catalyze the growth of the semiconductor nanowires. The metal nanocrystals may be formed in situ in the growth solution from metal nanocrystal precursors. Alternatively, the nanowires may be pre-formed and added to the growth solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Dayne D. Fanfair, Brian A. Korgel
  • Publication number: 20150138631
    Abstract: In master oscillator-power amplifier (MOPA) systems for generating laser light, a fluorine concentration in each of the master oscillator and power amplifier chambers is maintained. While sensors at the chambers can measure certain values of some variables, the sensors do not directly measure fluorine concentration. As a further complication, the values received from the sensors are known to be affected by various specified variables. To estimate the effect on the received values, an RLS algorithm and covariance matrix are used. To ensure that the RLS algorithm is responsive to recent changes in a specified variable, portions of the covariance matrix are reset to more quickly and more heavily weight the more recent values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Cymer, LLC
    Inventor: Alicia Michelle Powers Russin
  • Patent number: 9030732
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and techniques for suppressing parasitic modes in planar waveguide amplifier structures. One or more of the side and end facets of a planar waveguide amplifier are angled with respect to a fast axis defined in a transverse plane perpendicular to a core region. A relationship between glancing in-plane angles of incidence and threshold bevel angles ?T can be used to select side bevel angles ?S to suppress parasitics by redirecting amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from the core. It is possible to select the one or more bevel angles ?S to be great enough to substantially redirect all but ballistic photons of any guided modes, effectively narrowing a numerical aperture of the planar waveguide amplifier along a slow axis, defined in a transverse plane perpendicular to the fast axis. Beneficially, such improvements can be realized for three part waveguide structures (e.g., cladding-core-cladding), with substantially smooth edge facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Friedrich Strohkendl
  • Publication number: 20150098483
    Abstract: A solid state laser includes an optical resonator cavity and a containment vessel disposed in the optical resonator cavity. The solid state laser also includes a gas-flow system operable to pump solid state nano-structures through the containment vessel and one or more diode pumps optically coupled to the containment vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond J. Beach, Mark D. Rotter
  • Patent number: 8947769
    Abstract: An apparatus for tunable generation of terahertz photons is provided. The apparatus comprises a three level magnon laser, an injection means, a terahertz antenna, and a tuning means. The terahertz antenna further comprises a magnon gain medium that supports generation of nonequilibrium magnons. The magnon gain medium is selected from the group consisting of: a ferromagnetic semiconductor; a dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS); a half-metallic ferromagnet (HMF); and a ferromagnetic conductor, with a gap in the density of states of the minority electrons around the Fermi energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Terahertz Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yehiel Korenblit, Boris G. Tankhilevich
  • Publication number: 20140346375
    Abstract: A laser apparatus includes a master oscillator configured to output a pulse laser beam, at least one amplifier disposed in an optical path of the pulse laser beam, an energy detector that is disposed in the optical path on one of an input side and an output side of the amplifier and that is configured to detect energy of self-oscillating light from the amplifier, a gain adjustment section configured to adjust the gain of the amplifier, and a control unit configured to control the gain adjustment section based on a detection result from the energy detector when a pulse laser beam is not being inputted into the amplifier from the master oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Krzysztof NOWAK, Takashi SUGANUMA, Osamu WAKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8873136
    Abstract: An optical amplifier for use as a final amplification stage for a fiber-MOPA has a gain-element including a thin wafer or chip of ytterbium-doped YAG. An elongated gain-region is formed in gain-element by multiple incidences of radiation from a diode-laser bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrei Starodoumov, Norman Hodgson
  • Publication number: 20140307305
    Abstract: A laser amplifier system includes a gain medium having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of sides substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The laser amplifier system also includes a waveguide having a plurality of inner surfaces. Each of the inner surfaces is optically coupled to one of the plurality of sides of the gain medium. The waveguide also includes a plurality of outer surfaces. The laser amplifier system further includes a cladding optically coupled to the outer surfaces of the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Robert J. Deri, Alvin C. Erlandson, Andrew J. Bayramian, Raymond J. Beach
  • Publication number: 20140230884
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for stimulating an emission from at least one emitter, such as a quantum dot or organic molecule, on the surface of a photonic crystal comprising a patterned dielectric substrate. Embodiments of this system include a laser or other source that illuminates the emitter and the photonic crystal, which is characterized by an energy band structure exhibiting a Fano resonance, from a first angle so as to stimulate the emission from the emitter at a second angle. The coupling between the photonic crystal and the emitter may result in spectral and angular enhancement of the emission through excitation and extraction enhancement. These enhancement mechanisms also reduce the emitter's lasing threshold. For instance, these enhancement mechanisms enable lasing of a 100 nm thick layer of diluted organic molecules solution with reduced threshold intensity. This reduction in lasing threshold enables more efficient organic light emitting devices and more sensitive molecular sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Patent number: 8803027
    Abstract: A thin beam laser crystallization apparatus for selectively melting a film deposited on a substrate is disclosed having a laser source producing a pulsed laser output beam, the source having an oscillator comprising a convex reflector and a piano output coupler; and an optical arrangement focusing the beam in a first axis and spatially expanding the beam in a second axis to produce a line beam for interaction with the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Cymer, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8780439
    Abstract: Tunable plasmon resonant cavity arrays in paired parallel nanowire waveguides are presented. Resonances can be observed when the waveguide length is an odd multiple of quarter plasmon wavelengths, consistent with boundary conditions of node and antinode at the ends. Two nanowire waveguides can satisfy the dispersion relation of a planar metal-dielectric-metal waveguide of equivalent width equal to the square field average weighted gap. Confinement factors of over 103 are possible due to plasmon focusing in the inter-wire space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Mihail Bora, Tiziana C. Bond, Benjamin J. Fasenfest, Elaine M. Behymer
  • Patent number: 8778227
    Abstract: The present invention provides an organic/inorganic composite containing an inorganic phase dispersed in an organic polymer, the inorganic phase comprises one or more metal atoms that are coordinated to at least one rare earth metal atom via oxygen. The composite contains at least 5 mass % of rare earth metal. This rare earth metal is dispersed in the inorganic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: KRI, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mataki, Toshimi Fukui
  • Patent number: 8736952
    Abstract: A photonic crystal device comprising: a photonic crystal material having an initial ordered structure and a viewing surface, the initial ordered structure giving rise to a first optical effect detectable from the viewing surface; and a removal layer removably attached with the viewing surface or an opposing surface of the photonic crystal material opposite to the viewing surface; wherein mechanical removal of at least a portion of the removal layer results in a structural change in at least a portion of the initial ordered structure of at least a portion of the photonic crystal material respective to the portion of the removed removal layer, thereby resulting in a changed portion different from the initial ordered structure, the changed portion giving rise to a second optical effect detectable from the viewing surface and detectably different from the first optical effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Opalux Incorporated
    Inventor: Andre Arsenault
  • Publication number: 20140133503
    Abstract: Systems and methods of high efficiency amplification of pulsed laser output for high energy ultra-short pulse laser systems are provided herein. According to some embodiments, methods for amplifying pulsed laser output for high energy ultra-short pulse laser systems include receiving pulsed laser output and amplifying the pulsed laser output by propagating the pulsed laser output through a non-silica based gain medium that has been doped with a concentration of rare earth ions, wherein the concentration of the rare earth ions within the gain medium is approximately greater than one percent by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Xiang Peng, Kyungbum Kim, Michael M. Mielke
  • Patent number: 8693874
    Abstract: A transmission system is provided with a transmission apparatus that outputs an ASE light from a transmission light amplifier and with a reception apparatus provided with: a tilt detection unit that detects the optical strength levels of at least two probe lights having different wavelengths from a received ASE light; and a reception light amplifier that performs a first-order tilt correction on light to be output in a linear manner so as to reduce the difference in the optical strength level of the two probe lights detected by the tilt detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Telecom Networks Limited
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Suzuki, Kenji Watanabe, Koji Tanonaka, Akihisa Kawaguchi, Takehiro Fujita
  • Patent number: 8687270
    Abstract: A main amplifier system includes a first reflector operable to receive input light through a first aperture and direct the input light along an optical path. The input light is characterized by a first polarization. The main amplifier system also includes a first polarizer operable to reflect light characterized by the first polarization state. The main amplifier system further includes a first and second set of amplifier modules. Each of the first and second set of amplifier modules includes an entrance window, a quarter wave plate, a plurality of amplifier slablets arrayed substantially parallel to each other, and an exit window. The main amplifier system additionally includes a set of mirrors operable to reflect light exiting the first set of amplifier modules to enter the second set of amplifier modules and a second polarizer operable to reflect light characterized by a second polarization state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Manes, Mary L. Spaeth, Alvin C. Erlandson
  • Patent number: 8649646
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a specimen, such as a semiconductor wafer, is provided. The apparatus comprises a laser energy source, such as a deep ultraviolet (DUV) energy source and an optical fiber arrangement. The optical fiber arrangement comprises a core surrounded by a plurality of optical fibers structures used to frequency broaden energy received from the laser energy source into frequency broadened radiation. The frequency broadened radiation is employed as an illumination source for inspecting the specimen. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a central core and a plurality of structures generally surrounding the central core, the plurality of fibers surround a hollow core fiber filled with a gas at high pressure, a tapered photonic fiber, and/or a spider web photonic crystalline fiber, configured to receive light energy and produce frequency broadened radiation for inspecting the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Richard William Solarz
  • Publication number: 20130321901
    Abstract: A device comprising a laser source producing a continuous output on a beam path and an amplifier is disclosed. The device further includes a partially transmissive, partially reflective optic disposed on said beam path between said laser source and said amplifier. The device further includes a droplet generator positioned to deliver a droplet moving on a path intersecting said beam path, the droplet reflecting light to establish an optical cavity with said optic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CYMER, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander I. Ershov, Jerzy R. Hoffman, Norbert R. Bowering, Igor V. Fomenkov
  • Patent number: 8593724
    Abstract: A four level magnon laser comprising: a Magnon Gain Medium, wherein the Magnon Gain Medium supports generation of nonequilibrium magnons, and a means for pumping nonequilibrium electrons into Magnon Gain Medium. Propagation of nonequilibrium electrons in Magnon Gain Medium causes generation of nonequilibrium magnons. Magnon Gain Medium comprises ferromagnetic materials at room temperatures including the half-metallic ferromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Terahertz Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yehiel Korenblit, Boris G. Tankhilevich
  • Publication number: 20130301117
    Abstract: An inventive composite optical gain medium capable includes a thin-disk gain layer bonded to an index-matched cap. The gain medium's surface is shaped like a paraboloid frustum or other truncated surface of revolution. The gain medium may be cryogenically cooled and optically pumped to provide optical gain for a pulsed laser beam. Photons emitted spontaneously in the gain layer reflect off or refract through the curved surface and out of the gain medium, reducing amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). This reduces limits on stored energy and gain imposed by ASE, enabling higher average powers (e.g., 100-10,000 Watts). Operating at cryogenic temperatures reduces thermal distortion caused by thermo-mechanical surface deformations and thermo-optic index variations in the gain medium. This facilitates the use of the gain medium in an image-relayed, multi-pass architecture for smoothed extraction and further increases in peak pulse energy (e.g., to 1-100 Joules).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Luis E. Zapata, Franz X. Kaertner
  • Patent number: 8559097
    Abstract: A light amplifier includes a single crystal semiconductor substrate with a rare earth oxide, light amplifying gain medium deposited on the substrate and formed into a light waveguide, and a pump laser. A lattice matching virtual substrate integrates the pump laser to the gain medium with a first opposed surface crystal lattice matched to the gain medium and second opposed surface crystal lattice matched to the pump laser. The pump laser is positioned with a light output surface coupled to a light input surface of the gain medium so as to introduce pump energy into the light waveguide. The light amplifier has a very small footprint and allows the integration of control and monitoring electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Translucent, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Williams, Andrew Clark, Michael Lebby
  • Publication number: 20130265636
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed. One method comprises energizing a photonic crystal fiber to generate a seed beam of electromagnetic radiation as an output of the photonic crystal fiber, transmitting the seed beam to a non-linear crystal, and generating an amplified beam of electromagnetic radiation based on the seed beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Alexey Gusev
  • Patent number: 8477399
    Abstract: An optical device includes: a base that transmits incident light; and a first conductive film formed on one surface of the base, and that includes an indentation pattern of a predetermined period formed on a base-side surface, wherein a side portion defining an edge portion irradiated with the incident light has a form of a protrusion or a straight line as viewed from the incident side of the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Hongo
  • Patent number: 8467123
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber that includes a central core that is suitable for transmitting and amplifying an optical signal and an inner optical cladding that is suitable for confining the optical signal transmitted within the central core. The central core is formed from a core matrix that contains silica-based nanoparticles doped with at least one rare earth element. The disclosed optical fiber can be used with limited optical losses even in an environment with strong ionizing radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Draka Comteq B.V.
    Inventors: Elise Regnier, Alain Pastouret, Ekaterina Burov
  • Patent number: 8428470
    Abstract: A waveform shaping apparatus includes a quantum dot optical amplifier in which an amplification factor of input signal beams saturates if the optical power of the signal beams is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; and a quantum dot saturable absorber in which an absorption factor of the input signal beams saturates if the optical power of the signal beams is under a predetermined value. The quantum dot optical amplifier and the quantum dot saturable absorber are connected in series with a transmission path of the signal beams, and shape the waveform of the signal beams. Voltages applied to the quantum dot optical amplifier and the quantum dot saturable absorber, respectively, are adjusted based on the optical power of the signal beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Fumio Futami, Shigeki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8427740
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating modulated terahertz radiation are provided. The apparatus comprises: (A) a means for generating Terahertz radiation by pumping nonequilibrium electrons into Magnon Gain Medium (MGM); wherein the nonequilibrium electrons emit nonequilibrium magnons, and wherein interaction between nonequilibrium magnons in the Magnon Gain Medium (MGM) causes generation of Terahertz radiation; and (B) a means for modulating the generated Terahertz radiation. The Magnon Gain Medium (MGM) is selected from a magnetic material that supports generation of non-equilibrium magnons at room temperatures. The modulating means further comprises: an AC magnetic field generator, or an AC electric field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Terahertz Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Boris G. Tankhilevich
  • Patent number: 8424111
    Abstract: Provided is a scanning near-field optical microscope capable of obtaining, in a highly sensitive manner, optical information having a spatial frequency higher than a spatial frequency corresponding to a wavelength of irradiation light. A scanning near-field optical microscope 100 according to the present invention includes: a light irradiating part 102 for emitting illumination light toward a sample 107; a light receiving part 112 for receiving light; a microstructure for generating or selectively transmitting near-field light, the microstructure being disposed on at least one of an emission side of the light irradiating part 102 and an incident side of the light receiving part 112; and an ultrahigh-wavenumber transmitting medium 108 for transmitting near-field light, the ultrahigh-wavenumber transmitting medium exhibiting anisotropy in permittivity or permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Olympus Corporation, The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Koichi Karaki, Kimihiko Nishioka, Yasuo Sasaki, Takuya Tsukagoshi, Yoshiharu Ajiki, Isao Shimoyama, Kiyoshi Matsumoto, Tetsuro Kan, Yusuke Takei, Kentaro Noda
  • Patent number: 8422122
    Abstract: Several embodiments of waveguide amplifiers incorporating a network of waveguides, signal splitters, solid state amplifiers and signal combiners are disclosed. The signal splitters and combiners have similar structures including parallel input and exit ports. In some embodiments, the solid state amplifiers are enclosed within the waveguide amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Ilya Tchaplia
  • Patent number: 8369006
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photorefractive hybrid cell including a window and a gain media disposed adjacent the window. The gain media includes nanoparticles therein. The window includes a material that forms a space-charge field. The gain media includes a material having refractive index properties that depend on an electric field. The nanoparticles include a material which responds orientationally to the presence of an electric or magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Gary Cook, Dean R Evans, Anatoly Gluschenko, Victor Yu Reshetnyak
  • Patent number: 8345349
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to compact, sub-wavelength optical resonators. In one aspect, an optical resonator comprises two approximately parallel reflective structures positioned and configured to form a resonant cavity. The resonator also includes a fishnet structure disposed within the cavity and oriented approximately parallel to the reflective structures. The resonant cavity is configured with a cavity length that can support resonance with electromagnetic radiation having a fundamental wavelength that is more than twice the cavity length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Jingjing Li
  • Patent number: 8294983
    Abstract: In an optical amplifier including a metal layer having an incident/reflective surface adapted to receive incident light and output its reflective light, and a dielectric layer formed on an opposite surface of the metal layer opposing the incident/reflective surface, the incident light excites surface plasmon resonance light in the metal layer while the dielectric layer is excited, so that an extinction coefficient of the dielectric layer is made negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20120250720
    Abstract: An optical amplifier suitable for coherently amplifying surface plasmon-polariton waves with high gain and low noise over visible and infrared wavelengths. The optical amplifier is comprised of a thin strip of material having a complex permittivity with a negative real part, in contact on at least one side with an optical gain medium, where the strip has finite width and thickness such that optical radiation couples to the strip and propagates along its length as a surface plasmon-polariton wave. The surface plasmon-polariton amplifier can also be incorporated into a resonant cavity to form a plasmon-polariton laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: The University of Ottawa
    Inventors: Israel DeLeon, Pierre Berini
  • Publication number: 20120229888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser device (1) for amplifying and/or transporting electromagnetic radiation, comprising a radiation source (2) for generating the electromagnetic radiation and an amplifier (4) for amplifying or a medium for transporting the generated electromagnetic radiation. In order to make available a device (1) for amplifying or transporting electromagnetic radiation that provides a very easy to implement possibility for reducing the influence of non-linear effects, the electromagnetic radiation propagating in the amplifier (4) or medium is largely non-linearly polarized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicants: FRIEDRICH-SCHILLER-UNIVERSITAET JENA, FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Jens Limpert, Andreas Tuennermann, Damian Schimpf, Tino Eidam, Enrico Seise, Fabian Roeser
  • Patent number: 8259389
    Abstract: Disclosed is an amplifying optical fiber having a central core and an optical cladding surrounding the central core. The central core is based on a silica matrix that includes nanoparticles, which are composed of a matrix material that includes doping ions of at least one rare earth element. The amplifying optical fiber can be employed, for example, in an optical amplifier and an optical laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Draka Comteq, B.V.
    Inventors: Alain Pastouret, Ekaterina Burov, David Boivin, Christine Collet, Olivier Cavani
  • Publication number: 20120212804
    Abstract: The various laser architectures described herein provide increased gain of optical energy as well as compensation of optical phase distortions in a thin disk gain medium. An optical amplifier presented herein provides for scalable high energy extraction and gains based on a number of passes of the signal beam through a gain medium. Multiple, spatially separate, optical paths may also be passed through the same gain region to provide gain clearing by splitting off a small percentage of an output pulse and sending it back through the amplifier along a slightly different path. By clearing out the residual gain, uniform signal amplitudes can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Samvel Sarkisyan, Paul B. Lundquist, Eric A. Wilson, Kyle Christine Heideman
  • Patent number: 8194302
    Abstract: An active chiral photonic metamaterial having a dynamically controllable photonic material parameter is employed in a system and a method of polarization rotation. The active chiral photonic metamaterial includes a first chiral photonic element formed in a first metal layer, a second chiral photonic element formed in a second metal layer, and an active material layer disposed between the first and second metal layers. The active material layer includes the photonic material parameter that is dynamically controllable. A coupling between the first chiral photonic element and the second chiral photonic element is a function of the photonic material parameter of the active material layer. The system further includes a means for controlling the dynamically controllable photonic material parameter. The method includes illuminating the active chiral photonic metamaterial with an optical signal and applying a control signal to vary the dynamically controllable photonic material parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Alexandre M. Bratkovski
  • Patent number: 8189980
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electromagnetic wave resonator that is capable of showing surface wave resonance typically as outstanding plasmon resonance and can be manufactured industrially with excellent reproducibility and efficiency by combining currently available microprocessing technologies. The electromagnetic wave resonator of the present invention includes a first negative dielectric surface, a second negative dielectric surface and a positive dielectric thin film disposed between the first and the second negative dielectric surfaces. The positive dielectric thin film has an end face having an electromagnetic wave introduced therefrom. Intensity of the electromagnetic wave having a predetermined wavelength and being introduced from the end face is enhanced in the electromagnetic wave resonator due to resonance of a surface wave having an electric field component in a direction of film thickness of the positive dielectric thin film and without having a cut-off frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Hideki Miyazaki, Yoichi Kurokawa