Coherent light generators – Particular pumping means – Pumping with optical or radiant energy
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-28
2003-12-30
Ip, Paul (Department: 2828)
Coherent light generators
Particular pumping means
Pumping with optical or radiant energy
C372S013000, C372S026000, C372S028000, C372S043010, C372S092000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06671304
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to amplitude-modulated lasers. More specifically, but without limitation thereto, the present invention relates to a short cavity amplitude-modulated laser.
Generally, lasers capable of high modulation rates in the gigahertz range are either laser diodes modulated by electrical drive current or solid-state lasers modulated by an external amplitude modulator such as an acousto-optical modulator. Laser diodes are capable of high modulation rates but have poor coherence, generate optical energy at multiple wavelengths, and have limited output power. On the other hand, acousto-optical modulated lasers have a relatively limited bandwidth and poor optical efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an amplitude-modulated laser capable of relatively high modulation rates, e.g. up to 15 Ghz. It has applications in high-bandwidth communications systems and other applications that utilize modulated optical energy.
In one aspect of the invention, a short cavity diode-pumped laser generates optical energy that may be modulated over a wide range of frequencies. In one embodiment, the short cavity diode-pumped laser may be modulated at rates up to 15 GHz. The short cavity diode-pumped laser may include a laser diode modulator and a laser coupled to the laser diode modulator having a cavity lifetime of less than about 100 picoseconds.
In another aspect of the invention, the short cavity diode-pumped laser is pumped by the laser diode modulator in response to an electrical current or voltage. The laser diode modulator may include a laser diode, a DC bias source coupled to the laser diode, and an electrical modulation source coupled to the DC bias source. The electrical modulation source may be, for example, a signal generator. The laser diode modulator may generate pump energy having a pump wavelength in the range from about 610 nm to about 1000 nm.
In another aspect of the invention, the short cavity diode-pumped laser generates a laser output from a variety of laser gain elements suitable for short cavity laser configurations. In one embodiment, the laser includes a laser gain element of crystalline Nd:YAG or Cr:LiSAF. In another embodiment, the laser gain element contains a laser dye. The laser dye may be contained in a liquid, a gas, a solid, or a gel, and may include rhodamine 700 dye. The laser dye may be contained in a polymethylmethacrylate host having a thickness of about 100 microns.
In a further aspect of the invention, pump energy is focused onto the laser gain element. In one embodiment, the laser includes a focusing lens for focusing pump energy from the laser diode modulator onto the laser gain element.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4139342 (1979-02-01), Sheldrake et al.
patent: 4176327 (1979-11-01), Wayne et al.
patent: 4991179 (1991-02-01), Deppe et al.
patent: 5212706 (1993-05-01), Jain
patent: 5245622 (1993-09-01), Jewell et al.
patent: 5341390 (1994-08-01), Yamada et al.
patent: 5343487 (1994-08-01), Scott et al.
patent: 5363390 (1994-11-01), Yang et al.
patent: 5390202 (1995-02-01), Yan et al.
patent: 5416582 (1995-05-01), Knutson et al.
patent: 5455836 (1995-10-01), Li et al.
patent: 5499313 (1996-03-01), Kleinerman
patent: 5513204 (1996-04-01), Jayaraman
patent: 5574738 (1996-11-01), Morgan
patent: 5663972 (1997-09-01), Payne et al.
patent: 5757831 (1998-05-01), Kmetec et al.
patent: 5796761 (1998-08-01), Injeyan et al.
patent: 5796771 (1998-08-01), DenBaars et al.
patent: 5802084 (1998-09-01), Bowers et al.
patent: 5959292 (1999-09-01), Duveneck et al.
patent: 5982789 (1999-11-01), Marshall et al.
patent: 5982802 (1999-11-01), Thony et al.
patent: 6026108 (2000-02-01), Lim et al.
patent: 6314115 (2001-11-01), Delfyett et al.
Cameron Andrew J.
Flores-Ruiz Delma R.
Ip Paul
Kagan Michael A.
Lipovksy Peter A.
LandOfFree
Amplitude-modulated laser for high-bandwidth communications... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Amplitude-modulated laser for high-bandwidth communications..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Amplitude-modulated laser for high-bandwidth communications... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3136670