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Phase-locked laser array

Assignee: RCA Corp
•
Filing: 1986-02-24
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Granted: 1988-02-02
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Expires: 2006-02-24
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Abstract

Abstract A phase-locked laser array comprises a substrate with two spaced-apart pluralities of channels extending towards different reflecting surfaces of the array. The axes of symmetry of the channels of one plurality are offset from the axes of symmetry of the channels of the second plurality. Coupling of light propagating in the optical waveguides over one plurality of channels into the waveguides over the second plurality of channels induces a zero phase difference between the laser oscillations of adjacent channels.

Inventors

  • 👤 Dan Botez
  • 👤 Donald E. Ackley

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 20:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/50; H01S5/40; H01S5/4025; H01S5/4031; H01S5/4068

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 157 words
A phase-locked laser array comprising: a body of semiconductor material having first and second reflecting surfaces, at least one of which is partially transparent at the laser wavelength; said body including: a substrate having first and second opposed major surfaces; first and second spaced-apart pluralities of channels with lands therebetween extending a distance into said substrate from said first major surface with each of said pluralities extending toward a different reflecting surface of said body, the axes of symmetry of the channels of the two pluralities being offset from one another in the lateral direction; a first clad region overlying said channels and said lands; a cavity region overlying said first clad region; a second clad region overlying said cavity region; and means for electrically contacting said body; wherein the channels of each plurality are spaced an effective distance apart such that the optical fields in the cavity region over adjacent channels are coupled to one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 157 words
A phase-locked laser array comprising: a body of semiconductor material having first and second reflecting surfaces, at least one of which is partially transparent at the laser wavelength; said body including: a substrate having first and second opposed major surfaces; first and second spaced-apart pluralities of channels with lands therebetween extending a distance into said substrate from said first major surface with each of said pluralities extending toward a different reflecting surface of said body, the axes of symmetry of the channels of the two pluralities being offset from one another in the lateral direction; a first clad region overlying said channels and said lands; a cavity region overlying said first clad region; a second clad region overlying said cavity region; and means for electrically contacting said body; wherein the channels of each plurality are spaced an effective distance apart such that the optical fields in the cavity region over adjacent channels are coupled to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The array of claim 1 wherein said pluralities are spaced apart by a transition region extending transverse to the axes of symmetry of the channels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 23 words
The array of claim 2 wherein said transition region comprises a channel extending a distance into said substrate from said first major surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The array of claim 3 wherein the axes of symmetry of the channels of said first plurality bisect the lands between the channels of said second plurality.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
The array of claim 2 wherein said transition region comprises a flat portion of said first major surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
The array of claim 5 wherein the axes of symmetry of the channels of said first plurality bisect the lands between the channels of said second plurality.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
The array of claim 2 wherein said means for electrically contacting said body includes a first electrical contact overlying said second clad region over said channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 45 words
The array of claim 7 wherein said first contact comprises a first subcontact overlying said second clad region over said first plurality and a second subcontact, spaced apart from said first subcontact, overlying said second clad region over said second plurality and said flat portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
The array of claim 2 wherein said means for electrically contacting said body includes a first electrical contact overlying said second clad region over said channels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 41 words
The array of claim 9 wherein said first contact comprises a first subcontact overlying said second clad region of said first plurality and a second subcontact, spaced apart from said first subcontact, overlying said second clad region over said second plurality.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 27 words
The array of claim 10 wherein the axes of symmetry of the channels of said first plurality bisect the lands between the channels of said second plurality.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3753801A Cited
US4255717A Cited
US4347486A Cited
US4385389A Cited
US4547396A Cited
US4641311A Cited
US4594719A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-02-01 1991-08-03 1992-02-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-02-01 1995-08-03 1996-02-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-02-01 1999-08-03 2000-02-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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