US4546458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frequency modulated laser diode
Assignee: Department of National Defence
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Filing: 1982-05-17
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Granted: 1985-10-08
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Expires: 2002-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A method of modulating the output of a solid state diode laser by directly straining the laser chip. The chip is mechanically coupled to a transducer such as a piezoelectric crystal in such a manner that a dimensional variation in the transducer is translated into a corresponding variation in the chip. It is contemplated that the modulated output will have application in communication systems and in particular a hydrophone system.
Inventors
- 👤 Paolo G. Cielo
- 👤 Garfield W. McMahon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/06; H01S5/0607; G; G01; G01H; G01H9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A hydrophone system comprising a diode laser source, a length of optical fiber adapted to transmit the output of the diode laser, a Fabry-Perot optical cavity sensing acoustic pressure fluctuations, a second optical fiber transmitting light from the sensor to a detector and a data-processing circuit that generates a signal representing said acoustical pressure fluctuations, wherein the output of the diode laser source is modulated by a dimensionally variable transducer mechanically coupled thereto, in response to an input from said data processing circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A hydrophone system comprising a diode laser source, a length of optical fiber adapted to transmit the output of the diode laser, a Fabry-Perot optical cavity sensing acoustic pressure fluctuations, a second optical fiber transmitting light from the sensor to a detector and a data-processing circuit that generates a signal representing said acoustical pressure fluctuations, wherein the output of the diode laser source is modulated by a dimensionally variable transducer mechanically coupled thereto, in response to an input from said data processing circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the transducer is piezoelectric crystal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the transducer is a magnetostrictive element.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
20 words
The system of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the laser diode is mechanically coupled to said transducer by soldering.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said diode laser is sandwiched between two piezoelectric crystals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-07 | 1989-04-08 | 1989-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-07 | 1993-04-08 | 1993-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-07 | 1997-04-08 | 1997-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |