Abstract A Ga As laser for coupling energy into a dielectric optical waveguide, has one face of its optical resonant cavity coated with a blooming to give near zero reflectivity. The blooming is formed by depositing a transparent material e.g. alumina, onto one face of the laser while it is lasing, and stopping the deposition when the laser ceases to lase. The other face of the optical cavity has a reflective coating. When a coupling unit, for example, a tapered section of dielectric optical waveguide having a partially reflective coating on one end is bought up to the laser, the laser lases in line with the coupling unit only. This filamentary section of laser acts in some respects like a dielectric optical waveguide itself. Other forms of coupling can be a length of dielectric optical waveguide having a large refractive index difference between core and cladding, with or without a partially reflective coating, or an elliptic sectioned length of dielectric optical waveguide.
A METHOD OF LAUNCHING OPTICAL ENERGY, FROM AN ELEMENT INCLUDING A GAS LASER HAVING ONE OF ITS REFLECTIVE SURFACES BLOOMED INTO A DIELECTRIC OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE INCLUDING A TAPERED LENGTH TERMINATING IN AN END SECTION OF MINIMUM CROSSSECTIONAL AREA SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. ENERGIZING THE ELEMENT SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF LASING ONLY WHEN AN AT LEAST PARTIALLY REFLECTIVE SURFACE IS PLACED ADJACENT SAID BLOOMED SURFACE AND B. POSITIONING THE DIELECTRIC OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE WITH ITS END SECTION OF MINIMUM CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA ADJACENT THE BLOOMED SURFACE SO THAT LASING ACTION IS INDUCED IN THE ELEMENT.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A METHOD OF LAUNCHING OPTICAL ENERGY, FROM AN ELEMENT INCLUDING A GAS LASER HAVING ONE OF ITS REFLECTIVE SURFACES BLOOMED INTO A DIELECTRIC OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE INCLUDING A TAPERED LENGTH TERMINATING IN AN END SECTION OF MINIMUM CROSSSECTIONAL AREA SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. ENERGIZING THE ELEMENT SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF LASING ONLY WHEN AN AT LEAST PARTIALLY REFLECTIVE SURFACE IS PLACED ADJACENT SAID BLOOMED SURFACE AND B. POSITIONING THE DIELECTRIC OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE WITH ITS END SECTION OF MINIMUM CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA ADJACENT THE BLOOMED SURFACE SO THAT LASING ACTION IS INDUCED IN THE ELEMENT.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said end section has a partially reflecting coating formed thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said end section is circular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said end section is substantially elliptic.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
51 words
A device for launching optical energy into a dielectric optical waveguide, comprising: a dielectric optical waveguide having a tapered length terminating in an end section of minimum cross-sectional area; and an element including a GaAs laser having one of its reflective surfaces bloomed, said end section disposed adjacent said bloomed surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
51 words
A device for launching optical energy into a dielectric optical waveguide, comprising: a dielectric optical waveguide having a tapered length terminating in an end section of minimum cross-sectional area; and an element including a GaAs laser having one of its reflective surfaces bloomed, said end section disposed adjacent said bloomed surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said end section has a partially reflecting coating formed thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said end section is circular.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said end section is substantially elliptic.