US4071831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Amplifying characteristics of a cavity-enclosed nonlinear medium
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1976-08-03
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Granted: 1978-01-31
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Expires: 1996-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A device is disclosed which is capable of amplifying optical signals. The absorptive and dispersive properties of a cavity-enclosed nonlinear medium are combined with the transmission properties of the cavity to yield an input-output characteristic curve that displays gain or bistability.
Inventors
- 👤 Hyatt McDonald Gibbs
- 👤 Samuel Leverte McCall, Jr.
- 👤 Thirumalai Nallan Chakravarthy Venkatesan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:08
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/3523; G02F1/01; G02F1/21; G02F3/00; G02F3/02; G02F3/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of amplifying variations in an optical signal of a given wavelength comprising introducing light of the given wavelength into a cavity formed by at least two surfaces that reflect light of the given wavelength, and which surfaces are separated at least in part by a positive-temperature nonlinear medium fixing the cavity and medium characteristics such that the absorptive properties of the medium dominate its dispersive properties and such that there is a single valued relationship between the intensities of the incident and transmitted signals which exhibits gain, and extracting the amplified signal from said cavity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of amplifying variations in an optical signal of a given wavelength comprising introducing light of the given wavelength into a cavity formed by at least two surfaces that reflect light of the given wavelength, and which surfaces are separated at least in part by a positive-temperature nonlinear medium fixing the cavity and medium characteristics such that the absorptive properties of the medium dominate its dispersive properties and such that there is a single valued relationship between the intensities of the incident and transmitted signals which exhibits gain, and extracting the amplified signal from said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 where the cavity and medium characteristics are determined by combining the intracavity equations δE.sub.F /δZ = σ(o)E.sub.F + σ(2K) E.sub.B δe.sub.b /δz = - σ(o)E.sub.B - σ(-2K) E.sub.F with the cavity boundary conditions, to yield a single-valued input-output characteristic curve that exhibits gain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 where the cavity is a Fabry-Perot cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 where the light wavelength is greater than 4500 Angstroms and less than or equal to 7500 Angstroms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 where the light wavelength is greater than 7500 Angstroms and less than or equal to 25 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 where the light wavelength is greater than 500 Angstroms and less than or equal to 4500 Angstroms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 where the wavelength is such that the medium is primarily dispersive, and has a value of |n 2 |> 10 -13 cm 2 /statvolt 2 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 where the wavelength is such that the medium is primarily absorptive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 where the medium conditions are fixed by introducing additional light beams into the cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 7 where the medium is Na.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 where the nonlinear medium is a solid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 11 where the medium is InSb.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
109 words
A device to amplify variations in optical signals of a given wavelength comprising a cavity formed by at least two surfaces that reflect light of the given wavelength together with means for introducing light into, and extracting light from, the cavity and which surfaces are separated at least in part by a positive-temperature nonlinear medium, which separation is of such a value and which medium is maintained under such conditions, that the absorptive properties of the medium dominate its dispersive properties and that there is a single valued relationship between the intensity of the signal of said wavelength impinging on and emitted by the said device that displays gain.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
109 words
A device to amplify variations in optical signals of a given wavelength comprising a cavity formed by at least two surfaces that reflect light of the given wavelength together with means for introducing light into, and extracting light from, the cavity and which surfaces are separated at least in part by a positive-temperature nonlinear medium, which separation is of such a value and which medium is maintained under such conditions, that the absorptive properties of the medium dominate its dispersive properties and that there is a single valued relationship between the intensity of the signal of said wavelength impinging on and emitted by the said device that displays gain.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 13 where the cavity and medium characteristics are determined by combining the intracavity equations δE.sub.F /δZ = σ(o)E.sub.F + σ(2K) E.sub.B δe.sub.b /δz = -σ(o)E.sub.B - σ(-2K) E.sub.F with the cavity boundary conditions, to yield a single valued input-output characteristic curve that exhibits gain.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 14 where the cavity is a Fabry-perot cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 14 where the light wavelength is greater than 4500 Angstroms and less than or equal to 7500 Angstroms.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 14 where the light wavelength is greater than 7500 Angstroms and less than or equal to 25 microns.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 14 where the light wavelength is greater than 500 Angstroms and less than or equal to 4500 Angstroms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 14 where the medium is primarily dispersive at the said wavelength and has a value of |n 2 |> 10 -13 cm 2 /statvolt 2 .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 14 where the medium is primarily absorptive at the said wavelength.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 14 where the medium conditions are fixed by introducing additional light beams into the cavity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 19 where the medium is Na.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 19 where the nonlinear medium is a solid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 23 where the medium is InSb.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3610731A
Cited
US3813605A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-30 | 1981-08-01 | 1982-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-30 | 1985-08-01 | 1986-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-01 | 1990-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |