US4215323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Instability and regenerative pulsation in optical cavities
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1978-01-13
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Granted: 1980-07-29
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Expires: 1998-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A new mode of operation of an optical cavity is disclosed. In this "regenerative pulsation" mode, a substantially nonvarying input yields an output consisting of a train of pulses. Fractional modulations exceeding 90 percent are demonstrated.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel L. McCall, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:35
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F3/00; G02F3/02; G02F3/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
An optical cavity enclosing a medium substantially free of amplifying inverted transitions, whose medium and/or cavity characteristics are adjusted so that the equation F(γ)=0 has a root with a positive real part and so that the associated dynamic input/output properties include regenerative pulsation in the positive slope steady-stated regions of the characteristic input/output curve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical cavity enclosing a medium substantially free of amplifying inverted transitions, whose medium and/or cavity characteristics are adjusted so that the equation F(γ)=0 has a root with a positive real part and so that the associated dynamic input/output properties include regenerative pulsation in the positive slope steady-stated regions of the characteristic input/output curve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the optical cavity is a Fabry-Perot cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 2 wherein a nonlinear medium is enclosed within the Fabry-Perot cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the medium characteristics are such that the equation F(γ)=0 has a root with a positive real part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the cavity characteristics are nonlinear and the medium and nonlinear cavity characteristics are combined so that the equation F(γ)=0 has a root with a positive real part.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the cavity is substantially free of any nonlinear medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the cavity characteristics are nonlinear and are adjusted so that the equation F(γ)=0 has a root with a positive real part.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 4 wherein l.sub.χ (γ)=(1-T/G) -1 for some positive γ and l.sub.χ lies outside the range [0,1], when γ varies from 0 to ∞.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 5 wherein l.sub.χ (γ)=(1-T/G) -1 for some positive γ and l.sub.χ lies outside the range [0,1], when γ varies from 0 to ∞.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the nonlinear refractive index of the medium can be expressed as the algebraic sum of two or more quantities each of which has associated with it a different response time to the application of optical power to the medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The devices of claims 1 through 10 wherein the regenerative pulsation frequency is substantially insensitive to input power.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the device is phased locked to a separate frequency standard.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
20 words
The device of claims 1 through 10 wherein the optical cavity is formed by the boundaries of the nonlinear medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the regenerative polarization frequency is substantially insensitive to input power.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the nonlinear medium is a solid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 4 where at least a part of the medium or cavity nonlinearity is due to absorption of light and subsequent heating.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 5 where at least a part of the medium or cavity nonlinearity is due to absorption of light and subsequent heating.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 in which the optical cavity is enclosed in an opaque enclosure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 in which the optical cavity comprises curved mirrors.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 further including means to input a cw optical beam into the cavity and means to extract a pulsed wave output.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 20 further including means for transmitting the pulsed wave output.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 20 further including means for utilizing the pulsed wave output.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 22 wherein said utilization means include a pulsed amplitude modulator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 23 wherein said pulsed amplitude modulator modulates the output in a way that is representative of information.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
9 words
The device of claim 24 in a communication system.
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) | 1983-07-29 | 1984-01-28 | 1984-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-29 | 1988-01-28 | 1988-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-29 | 1992-01-28 | 1992-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |