US3965440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunable laser oscillator
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1975-04-02
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Granted: 1976-06-22
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Expires: 1995-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A laser oscillator circuit is disclosed which allows the operating frequency of the laser to be tuned over a wide range of frequencies in response to a wideband control signal. A laser oscillator such as that disclosed is useful in optical communications systems and especially in optical receivers utilizing a phase-locked control loop for tracking out frequency variations due to noise and the Doppler shifts.
Inventors
- 👤 Ross E. Graves
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/11; H01S3/1106; H01S3/1109; H01S3/106; H01S3/107; H01S3/13; H01S3/136; H01S3/137; H01S3/139; H01S3/1398
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
In combination: a laser oscillator having a pair of end reflecting members defining a resonant laser cavity and a laser medium disposed within said cavity; means for providing a control signal for controlling the frequency of said laser oscillator; electro-mechanical means disposed at one end of said cavity for varying the length of said laser cavity substantially in response to components of said control signal below a first frequency; electro-optical means disposed within said cavity for varying the effective electrical length of said laser cavity substantially in response to components of said control signal above said given frequency; first means for coupling a first component of said control signal to said electro-mechanical means; and second means for coupling a second component of said control signal to said electro-optical means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
In combination: a laser oscillator having a pair of end reflecting members defining a resonant laser cavity and a laser medium disposed within said cavity; means for providing a control signal for controlling the frequency of said laser oscillator; electro-mechanical means disposed at one end of said cavity for varying the length of said laser cavity substantially in response to components of said control signal below a first frequency; electro-optical means disposed within said cavity for varying the effective electrical length of said laser cavity substantially in response to components of said control signal above said given frequency; first means for coupling a first component of said control signal to said electro-mechanical means; and second means for coupling a second component of said control signal to said electro-optical means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said electro-mechanical means includes a piezoelectric transducer bonded to one of the end reflecting members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said electro-optic means includes an electro-optic phase modulator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said electro-optic phase modulator comprises a crystal of cadmium telluride.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first means includes a lowpass filter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said second means includes a highpass filter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first means comprises the serial combination of a lowpass filter and an amplifier and said second means comprises the serial combination of a highpass filter and an amplifier.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for controlling the frequency of a laser oscillator having an active laser medium disposed within a resonant optical cavity defined by a pair of reflecting end members in response to a wideband control signal, comprising the ordered steps of: separating said wideband control signal into a low frequency component and a high frequency component; utilizing said low frequency component to drive an electro-mechanical transducer mounted to one of said reflecting end members to vary the physical length of said cavity; and
Claim 10
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for controlling the frequency of a laser oscillator having an active laser medium disposed within a resonant optical cavity defined by a pair of reflecting end members in response to a wideband control signal, comprising the ordered steps of: separating said wideband control signal into a low frequency component and a high frequency component; utilizing said low frequency component to drive an electro-mechanical transducer mounted to one of said reflecting end members to vary the physical length of said cavity; and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
utilizing said high frequency component to drive an electro-optic phase modulator disposed within said cavity to vary the effective electrical length of said cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
utilizing said high frequency component to drive an electro-optic phase modulator disposed within said cavity to vary the effective electrical length of said cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3586997A
Cited
US3793595A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-22 | 1979-12-22 | 1980-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-12-22 | 1984-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-22 | 1987-12-22 | 1988-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |