US4787086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High-power, fundamental transverse mode laser
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1988-01-11
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Granted: 1988-11-22
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Expires: 2008-01-11
Abstract
Abstract High-power, single transverse mode laser operation is achieved in an extended-cavity structure by combining a semiconductor gain medium having a large optical cavity together with a length of single mode optical fiber between first and second reflector surfaces. The first reflector surface is formed on an end facet of the semiconductor gain medium; the second reflector surface is formed on an end of the optical fiber. Output power is efficiently coupled from the fiber end of the extended-cavity laser to a standard transmission medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew G. Dentai
- 👤 Gadi Eisenstein
- 👤 Enrique A. J. Marcatili
- 👤 Rodney S. Tucker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/10; H01S5/14; H01S5/146; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4203; G02B6/4285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An optical source comprising first and second reflectors separated from and opposite to each other for forming a single resonant optical cavity, a semiconductor gain medium having a major surface including a stripe contact extending longitudinally and transversely along said major surface for defining a large optical cavity in a volume of said gain medium thereunder, said semiconductor gain medium for generating a high-power optical signal by spontaneous emission, a single-mode optical fiber coupled to said semiconductor gain medium responsive to said high-power optical signal for causing a fundamental transverse mode optical signal to be amplified by said gain medium, said semiconductor gain medium and said single-mode optical fiber being disposed within said single resonant optical cavity formed by said reflectors, said optical source for producing stimulated coherent radiation in a fundamental transverse mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
An optical source comprising first and second reflectors separated from and opposite to each other for forming a single resonant optical cavity, a semiconductor gain medium having a major surface including a stripe contact extending longitudinally and transversely along said major surface for defining a large optical cavity in a volume of said gain medium thereunder, said semiconductor gain medium for generating a high-power optical signal by spontaneous emission, a single-mode optical fiber coupled to said semiconductor gain medium responsive to said high-power optical signal for causing a fundamental transverse mode optical signal to be amplified by said gain medium, said semiconductor gain medium and said single-mode optical fiber being disposed within said single resonant optical cavity formed by said reflectors, said optical source for producing stimulated coherent radiation in a fundamental transverse mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The optical source defined in claim 1 wherein the first reflector is disposed on a first surface of the semiconductor gain medium and said first reflector has reflectivity greater than 90%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical source defined in claim 2 wherein the second reflector is disposed on an end of the single mode optical fiber and said second reflector has reflectivity in the range from 50% to 70%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical source defined in claim 3 wherein the second reflector is comprised of a plurality of dielectric layers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The optical source defined in claim 2 wherein an anti-reflection coating is disposed on a second surface of said semiconductor gain medium to provide a reflectivity less than 0.1% for said second surface, said second surface being opposite said first surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical source defined in claim 1 further comprised of means for coupling optical signals from said semiconductor gain medium to said single mode optical fiber and vice versa.
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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) | 1991-11-22 | 1992-05-23 | 1992-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-22 | 1996-05-23 | 1996-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-22 | 2000-05-23 | 2000-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |