US4426707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single mode cavity laser
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1981-11-09
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Granted: 1984-01-17
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Expires: 2001-11-09
Abstract
Abstract This external cavity laser utilizes an unstable resonator in conjunction with a high reflectivity stripe end mirror which is oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the maximum divergence of the laser diode output beam and whose axis is substantially parallel to the plane of the junction of the laser diode. This configuration operates with high efficiency to select only the fundamental mode of the laser diode with a minimal divergence in the output beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Danny W. Martin
- 👤 Joseph L. Levy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/10; H01S5/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
An external cavity laser system comprising: means for generating a beam of coherent light comprising a laser diode gain medium having a high reflectivity back surface; an intracavity lens; and, an off-axis stripe end mirror such that the longitudinal axis of said mirror is oriented substantially parallel to the plane of said maximum divergence of a beam and one of said mirror edges is disposed adjacent to the optical axis of the system, such that the system forms an unstable resonator cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An external cavity laser system comprising: means for generating a beam of coherent light comprising a laser diode gain medium having a high reflectivity back surface; an intracavity lens; and, an off-axis stripe end mirror such that the longitudinal axis of said mirror is oriented substantially parallel to the plane of said maximum divergence of a beam and one of said mirror edges is disposed adjacent to the optical axis of the system, such that the system forms an unstable resonator cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the laser diode comprises a gallium arsenide laser diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the reflectivity of the back surface of the gain medium is at least 99%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the reflectivity of the front surface of the gain medium is less than about 0.25%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the intracavity lens comprises a multi-element lens having a magnification of from about 50 to about 60 times, and a numerical aperture of from about 0.85 to about 0.95.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the surfaces of the lens have a reflectivity of less than about 0.25%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the width of the stripe end mirror is matched to the fundamental transverse mode of the system such that no higher order modes are fed back into the gain medium at an effective level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the reflectivity of the stripe end mirror is at least 99%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the stripe end mirror comprises a gold stripe with a reflectivity of greater than 99%.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for varying the distance between the gain medium and the lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for varying the distance between the lens and the mirror.
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) | 1987-01-16 | 1987-07-18 | 1988-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-16 | 1991-07-18 | 1992-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-16 | 1995-07-18 | 1996-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |