Coherent light generators – Particular beam control device – Optical output stabilization
Patent
1983-10-11
1986-04-15
Davie, James W.
Coherent light generators
Particular beam control device
Optical output stabilization
372 44, 372 92, H01S 313
Patent
active
045832277
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to temperature effect compensation in semiconductor lasers provided with external cavities. The operation of semiconductor lasers with external cavities has been described by T. Kanada and K. Nawata in `Optical Communictions`, Vol.31 No. 1 pp 81-4 (October 1979) and by D. Renner and J. E. Carrol in `Electronics Letters` Vol.15 No.3 pp 73-4 (February 1979).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a semiconductor laser in which at least a part of the laser optical feedback is provided by an external reflector spaced from the semiconductive material of the laser so as to form a composite optical cavity consisting of a semiconductive part provided by the semiconductive material and an external part of shorter optical path length provided by the space between the semiconductive material and the external reflecting surface, which external reflector is supported on a mount constructed such that in response to changes in temperature it moves the external reflector relative to the adjacent surface of the semiconductive material so as to provide the external part of the cavity with thermal expansion coefficient substantially matched with the mode wavelength expansion coefficient of the internal part of the cavity.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a semiconductor laser in which at least a part of the laser optical feedback is provided by an external reflector spaced from the semiconductive material of the laser so as to form a composite optical cavity consisting of a semiconductive part provided by the semiconductive material and an external part of shorter optical path length provided by the space between the semiconductive material and the external reflecting surface, which external reflector is supported on a mount constructed such that in response to changes in temperature it moves the external reflector relative to the adjacent surface of the semiconductive material so as to provide the external part of the cavity with thermal expansion coefficient substantially matched with the peak gain wavelength expansion coefficient.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a semiconductor laser in which the laser optical feedback is provided by an external reflector spaced from the semiconductive material of the laser so as to form a composite optical cavity consisting of a semiconductive part provided by the semiconductive material and an external part provided by the space between the semiconductive material and the external reflecting surface, which external reflector is supported on a mount constructed such that in response to changes in temperature it moves the external reflector relative to the anti-reflection coated adjacent surface of the semiconductive material so as to provide the external part of the cavity with thermal expansion coefficient providing the composite cavity with a mode wavelength expansion coefficient substantially equal to zero.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a semiconductor laser in which the laser optical feedback is provided by an external reflector spaced from the semiconductive material of the laser so as to form a composite optical cavity consisting of a semiconductive part provided by the semiconductive material and an external part provided by the space between the semiconductive material and the external reflecting surface, which external reflector is supported on a mount constructed such that in response to changes in temperature it moves the external reflector relative to the anti-reflection coated adjacent surface of the semiconductive material so as to provide the external part of the cavity with thermal expansion coefficient providing the composite cavity with a mode wavelength expansion coefficient substantially equal to the peak gain wavelength expansion coefficient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
There follows a description of the background to the inventio
REFERENCES:
patent: 4143940 (1979-03-01), Khoe
patent: 4156206 (1979-05-01), Comerford et al.
patent: 4293826 (1981-10-01), Scifres et al.
Davie James W.
IT&T Industries, Inc.
O'Halloran John T.
O'Hare Thomas P.
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