Coherent light generators – Particular component circuitry – For driving or controlling laser
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-05
2003-05-27
Ip, Paul (Department: 2828)
Coherent light generators
Particular component circuitry
For driving or controlling laser
C372S029020, C372S026000, C372S028000, C359S199200, C359S199200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06570896
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a laser radiation source comprising an array of N individual slave laser diodes in a predetermined surface area, a slave power supply for the slave laser diodes, a master laser diode for generating a master laser radiation, a master power supply for the master laser diode, an optical coupling device, with which the master laser radiation can be coupled into the individual slave laser diodes in order to operate them at the frequency of the master laser diode in a phase-locked manner, and an optical transformation device which forms a coherent total laser radiation field with essentially defined, preferably plane wave fronts from the slave laser radiation of the individual slave laser diodes.
Laser radiation sources of this type are known from the state of the art.
In their case there is, however, the problem that the stable operation of the individual slave laser diodes is extremely complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object underlying the invention is, therefore, to improve a laser radiation source of the generic type in such a manner that the slave power supply has a separate power supply network for each slave laser diode, that each of the power supply networks can be adjusted with respect to the current supplied to the respective slave laser diode during a certain operating period for adjusting the slave laser diodes relative to one another and that the power supply networks are connected in parallel and supplied by a common source.
The advantage of the inventive solution is to be seen in the fact that it is possible, due to the adjustability of the power supply networks, for the slave laser diodes to be adjusted relative to one another and thus be operated in a stable manner in relation to one another.
At the same time, the relative stability of the operation of the individual slave laser diodes is improved further due to the fact that the power supply networks are connected in parallel and supplied by a common source since fluctuations in the supply by the common source affect all the slave laser diodes to the same degree and so the adjustment of the slave laser diodes relative to one another is not impaired.
Therefore, a possibility which is simple to realize is created by the inventive solution of adjusting an optionally large number of slave laser diodes relative to one another and of operating them in a stable manner in this adjustment relative to one another over a certain operating period.
Within the meaning of the inventive solution, it is, in this respect, possible to carry out the adjustment only for a certain operating period. For example, it would be conceivable to adjust the slave laser diodes relative to one another prior to putting them into operation each time by means of a procedure to be provided later in detail.
It is, however, even better when the slave laser diodes have to be readjusted relative to one another only at certain intervals, i.e. longer operating periods, so that the complicated adjustment of the slave laser diodes relative to one another can be omitted each time they are put into operation.
It is, however, particularly favorable when the slave laser diodes are adjusted relative to one another in that each of the power supply networks can be adjusted one time.
Such a one-time adjustability of a power supply network is known from circuit technology as a result of manifold solutions. For example, it is known to trim complex circuits one time so that these subsequently operate in accordance with the one-time trimming.
In principle, it is conceivable to construct the power supply networks in an optionally complex manner since complex circuit networks can also be produced in large numbers and in a simple manner with a modern design of electronic circuits. For example, it would be conceivable to design the power supply networks with adjustable current stabilizing circuits with the use of semiconductor components.
It is, however, particularly favorable when each of the power supply networks is a resistance network since a resistance network is, on the one hand, inexpensive to construct and, on the other hand, can be adjusted in a very simple manner.
A particularly favorable solution provides for each of the power supply networks to have a resistor adjustable due to alteration of its cross section.
In principle, it would also be conceivable to design the resistance network in such a manner that the adjustable resistor represents a parasitic current drain which is connected in parallel to the respective slave laser diode.
It is, however, particularly favorable with respect to the power consumption when each of the power supply networks has an adjustable resistor connected in series with the respective slave laser diode since, as a result, the current can be influenced in a direct manner by the slave laser diode and, in addition, the current consumption can be minimized.
The power supply networks could, in principle, be supplied by an optional common source. A particularly favorable solution provides for all the power supply networks to be supplied by a common voltage source so that the power supply networks can, in particular, be designed as simple resistance networks, with which the current can be determined in a simple manner by varying the resistance.
The common voltage source is preferably a voltage-stabilized voltage source so that fluctuations in the voltage can be avoided to a great extent and thus an additional stabilization of the adjustment of the slave laser diodes relative to one another can be achieved.
In principle, it would be conceivable to design the power supply of the master laser diode in accordance with the slave power supply and, for example, to likewise supply the slave power supply via the common source.
It is, however, particularly favorable with respect to the degrees of freedom of the adjustment of the master laser diode relative to the slave laser diodes when the slave power supply operates independently of the master power supply so that a completely independent operation of the master laser diode is possible.
In this respect, it is particularly expedient when the master power supply can be controlled with respect to the current through the master laser diode and thus a controlled modulation of the master laser radiation can, for example, be realized.
For example, it would also be possible by way of a controlled modulation of the master laser diode to modulate the intensity of the total laser radiation field, namely when the modulation of the master laser diode is carried out to such an extent that this no longer operates the slave laser diodes in a coupled manner.
As a result, it is possible, for example, in a simple manner and with a slight variation in the current to obtain a large modulation depth in the intensity of the total laser radiation field and thus to connect a large optical power even with a small current, wherein a quick connection of the large optical power is possible on account of the short response times in the interaction between the master laser radiation and the slave laser diodes.
In order to be able to design the operation of the slave laser diodes relative to one another to be as stable as possible it is preferably provided for all the slave laser diodes to be arranged on a common support.
It is particularly favorable for the production of the slave laser diodes when the common support for the slave laser diodes is a substrate, on which the slave laser diodes are installed during their production.
In principle, it would be conceivable to contact each individual slave laser diode with an electrical line for the power supply, similar to the procedure known from semiconductor technology of bonding semiconductors. It is, however, particularly favorable for realizing the power supply to the slave laser diodes when the power supply of the slave laser diodes is brought about by way of path conductors extending on the support.
For example, it would be conceivable in this respect, in the case of a two-dimensional array of slave laser diodes on on
Bissinger Norbert
Brauch Uwe
Hergenhan Guido
Luecke Bernd
Opower Hans
Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
Ip Paul
Rodriguez Armando
LandOfFree
Laser radiation source and process for generating a coherent... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Laser radiation source and process for generating a coherent..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Laser radiation source and process for generating a coherent... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3013602