US3703687A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intracavity modulator
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1971-02-12
•
Granted: 1972-11-21
•
Expires: 1991-02-12
Abstract
Abstract An intracavity modulator is disclosed in which a laser and an acousto-optic modulator are located in a cavity comprised of at least two high reflectivity mirrors. The geometry of the cavity is such that a beam of radiation from the laser has a waist in a region near the center of curvature of one of the mirrors. The acousto-optic modulator is located in this region. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, three mirrors are used to form a Vshaped cavity. The laser is located between two of these mirrors in one side of the V, and the acousto-optic modulator is located in the other side of the V.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan Maydan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/1068; H01S3/11; H01S3/1103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An optical device comprising: a laser medium, a means for pumping said medium to generate a beam of electromagnetic radiation, an optical cavity resonator comprising at least first and second reflectors, said medium being located within said resonator and on an optic axis thereof, said cavity resonator having a geometry such that the beam of radiation has a waist in a region near the center of curvature of said second reflector, and modulator means located at approximately the center of curvature of said second reflector for deflecting a first portion of said beam into a first path non-collinear with said axis and for passing undeflected a second portion of said beam along said axis upon the passage of said beam through said modulator means in one direction and for deflecting a part of said second portion of said beam into a path substantially collinear with said first path upon the passage of said second portion of said beam through said modulator means in the opposite direction along said axis, said first portion of said beam and said part of said second portion of said beam forming the output of said device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
An optical device comprising: a laser medium, a means for pumping said medium to generate a beam of electromagnetic radiation, an optical cavity resonator comprising at least first and second reflectors, said medium being located within said resonator and on an optic axis thereof, said cavity resonator having a geometry such that the beam of radiation has a waist in a region near the center of curvature of said second reflector, and modulator means located at approximately the center of curvature of said second reflector for deflecting a first portion of said beam into a first path non-collinear with said axis and for passing undeflected a second portion of said beam along said axis upon the passage of said beam through said modulator means in one direction and for deflecting a part of said second portion of said beam into a path substantially collinear with said first path upon the passage of said second portion of said beam through said modulator means in the opposite direction along said axis, said first portion of said beam and said part of said second portion of said beam forming the output of said device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
191 words
An optical device comprising: a laser medium, a means for pumping said medium to generate a beam of electromagnetic radiation, an optical cavity resonator comprising at least first and second reflectors, said medium being located within said resonator and on an optic axis thereof, said cavity resonator having a geometry such that the beam of radiation has a waist in a region near the center of curvature of said second reflector, and modulator means located at approximately the center of curvature of said second reflector for deflecting a first portion of said beam into a first path non-collinear with said axis and for passing undeflected a second portion of said beam along said axis upon the passage of said beam through said modulator means in one direction and for deflecting a part of said second portion of said beam into a path substantially collinear with said first path upon the passage of said second portion of said beam through said modulator means in the opposite direction along said axis, said first portion of said beam and said part of said second portion of said beam forming the output of said device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
191 words
An optical device comprising: a laser medium, a means for pumping said medium to generate a beam of electromagnetic radiation, an optical cavity resonator comprising at least first and second reflectors, said medium being located within said resonator and on an optic axis thereof, said cavity resonator having a geometry such that the beam of radiation has a waist in a region near the center of curvature of said second reflector, and modulator means located at approximately the center of curvature of said second reflector for deflecting a first portion of said beam into a first path non-collinear with said axis and for passing undeflected a second portion of said beam along said axis upon the passage of said beam through said modulator means in one direction and for deflecting a part of said second portion of said beam into a path substantially collinear with said first path upon the passage of said second portion of said beam through said modulator means in the opposite direction along said axis, said first portion of said beam and said part of said second portion of said beam forming the output of said device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The optical device of claim 1 wherein: the cavity resonator further comprises focusing means having a characteristic focal distance located in the optical path between said first and second reflectors; the second reflector and the focusing means are spaced apart a distance greater than the radius of curvature of the second reflector; and the laser medium is located between the first reflector and the focusing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The optical device of claim 2 wherein the second reflector and the focusing means are spaced apart a distance equal to approximately the sum of the radius of curvature of the second reflector and the focal distance of the focusing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical device of claim 3 wherein the modulator is an acousto-optic modulator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The optical device of claim 4 further comprising means for applying a signal to the acousto-optic modulator comprising a local oscillator, a signal source, and second means for modulating the output of the local oscillator in accordance with a signal from the signal source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The optical device of claim 5 wherein the laser medium is one that cannot normally be Q-switched and the signal applied to the acousto-optic modulator comprises a series of pulses having a pulse repetition rate in excess of 300 kilohertz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The optical device of claim 5 wherein the laser medium is one that can normally be Q-switched and the signal applied to the acousto-optic modulator comprises a series of pulses having a pulse repetition rate in excess of 125 kilohertz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
The optical device of claim 5 wherein the laser medium is one that can normally be Q-switched and the signal applied to the acousto-optic Modulator comprises a series of pulses at a pulse repetition rate of less than 30 kilohertz, each pulse comprising a signal that keeps the cavity below threshold until the power in the cavity reaches its maximum value and a signal that dumps the energy from the cavity, whereby the laser is Q-switched.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The optical device of claim 4 wherein the acousto-optic modulator comprises a transducer and a block of fused silica either cut at the Brewster angle or antireflection-coated, the focusing means is a reflector, and the first and second reflectors and the focusing means have substantially total reflectivity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical device of claim 3 wherein said first and second reflectors and said focusing means lie along a single optic axis and said focusing means comprises a convex lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optic axis of claim 3 wherein said resonator has a pair of optic axes intersecting one another at a point and said focusing means comprises a third reflector located at said point.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical device of claim 5 wherein said second means for modulating comprises a balanced mixer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |