US4815079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber lasers and amplifiers
Assignee: Viavi Solutions Inc
•
Filing: 1987-12-17
•
Granted: 1989-03-21
•
Expires: 2007-12-17
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for coupling radiation into a single-mode core of an optical fiber laser has a single-mode core disposed within a relatively large, multimode cladding at a location which is displaced from the center of the cross-section of the cladding. The cladding is surrounded by a further layer to prevent radiation from propagating out of the cladding. In addition, the apparatus preferably has slight bends to enhance the coupling of radiation from the cladding into the single-mode core. A further embodiment has a single-mode fiber laser disposed in a relatively large, multimode, slab cladding which, in turn, is surrounded by another cladding to prevent radiation from propagating out of the large cladding.
Inventors
- 👤 Elias Snitzer
- 👤 Hong Po
- 👤 Richard P. Tumminelli
- 👤 Farhad Hakimi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/067; H01S3/06708; H01S3/06729; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/094; H01S3/094003; H01S3/094007; H01S3/094019; H01S3/094069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An optical fiber which comprises: a substantially single-mode core having an index of refraction n 1 comprised of laser material disposed within a multi-mode cladding having an index of refraction n 2 ; and a further cladding having an index of refraction n 3 surrounding said multi-mode cladding with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode cladding; wherein said single-mode core is disposed at an offset from the geometric center of said multi-mode cladding and n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An optical fiber which comprises: a substantially single-mode core having an index of refraction n 1 comprised of laser material disposed within a multi-mode cladding having an index of refraction n 2 ; and a further cladding having an index of refraction n 3 surrounding said multi-mode cladding with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode cladding; wherein said single-mode core is disposed at an offset from the geometric center of said multi-mode cladding and n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber of claim 1 wherein said fiber has bends disposed along its length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical fiber of claim 2 wherein said cross-sectional area of the multimode cladding is substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of said single-mode core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical fiber of claim 3 wherein said cross-sectional area of the multimode cladding is substantially in the range of 50 to 400 times larger than the cross-sectional area of said single-mode core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
An optical fiber which comprises: a substantially single-mode core having an index of refraction n 1 comprised of laser material disposed within a multi-mode cladding having an index of refraction n 2 ; and a further cladding having an index of refraction n, surrounding said multi-mode cladding with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode cladding; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode cladding taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of the optical fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path and n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
An optical fiber which comprises: a substantially single-mode core having an index of refraction n 1 comprised of laser material disposed within a multi-mode cladding having an index of refraction n 2 ; and a further cladding having an index of refraction n, surrounding said multi-mode cladding with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode cladding; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode cladding taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of the optical fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path and n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical fiber of claim 5 wherein the cross-sectional area of said multimode cladding substantially forms a rectangle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical fiber of claim 6 wherein said single-mode core is disposed substantially at the geometric center of said multimode cladding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber of claim 5 wherein said fiber has bends disposed along its length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical fiber of claim 8 wherein the cross-sectional area of said multimode cladding is substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the single-mode core.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical fiber of claim 9 wherein the cross-sectional area of said multimode core is substantially in the range of 50 to 400 times larger than the area of the single-mode core.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
305 words
An apparatus comprising: a first fiber which comprises a substantially single-mode core having an index of refraction n 1 comprised of laser material disposed within a multi-mode cladding having an index of refraction n 2 and a further cladding having an index of refraction n 3 , surrounding said multi-mode cladding with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode cladding; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode cladding taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of the first fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path, said further cladding does not completely surround said multi-mode cladding along at least one portion of the axial extent of said first fiber, and ps n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3 ; and a second fiber which comprises a multi-mode waveguide and another further cladding surrounding said multi-mode waveguide with substantially no space between the another further cladding and the multi-mode waveguide; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode waveguide taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of said second fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path, said another further cladding does not completely surround said multi-mode waveguide along at least one portion of the axial extent of said second fiber; and said multi-mode cladding is affixed to said waveguide along at least one of the at least one portion of the first and second fibers.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
305 words
An apparatus comprising: a first fiber which comprises a substantially single-mode core having an index of refraction n 1 comprised of laser material disposed within a multi-mode cladding having an index of refraction n 2 and a further cladding having an index of refraction n 3 , surrounding said multi-mode cladding with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode cladding; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode cladding taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of the first fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path, said further cladding does not completely surround said multi-mode cladding along at least one portion of the axial extent of said first fiber, and ps n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3 ; and a second fiber which comprises a multi-mode waveguide and another further cladding surrounding said multi-mode waveguide with substantially no space between the another further cladding and the multi-mode waveguide; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode waveguide taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of said second fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path, said another further cladding does not completely surround said multi-mode waveguide along at least one portion of the axial extent of said second fiber; and said multi-mode cladding is affixed to said waveguide along at least one of the at least one portion of the first and second fibers.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus comprising: a fiber which comprises a substantially single-mode core having an index of refraction n 1 comprised of laser material disposed within a multi-mode cladding having an index of refraction n 2 and a further cladding having an index of refraction n 3 surrounding said multi-mode cladding with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode cladding; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode cladding taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of the fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path, said further cladding does not completely surround said multi-mode cladding along at least one portion of the axial extent of said fiber, and n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3 ; and at least one coupling means is affixed to said multi-mode cladding along at least one of the at least one portion of said first fiber for coupling radiation into said multi-mode cladding.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus comprising: a fiber which comprises a substantially single-mode core having an index of refraction n 1 comprised of laser material disposed within a multi-mode cladding having an index of refraction n 2 and a further cladding having an index of refraction n 3 surrounding said multi-mode cladding with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode cladding; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode cladding taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of the fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path, said further cladding does not completely surround said multi-mode cladding along at least one portion of the axial extent of said fiber, and n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3 ; and at least one coupling means is affixed to said multi-mode cladding along at least one of the at least one portion of said first fiber for coupling radiation into said multi-mode cladding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said coupling means is a prism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said coupling means is a wedge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber of claim 1 wherein said laser material comprises Nd3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 0.5×10 20 ions/cc to 5×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber of claim 5 wherein said laser material comprises Nd3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 0.5×10 20 ions/cc to 5×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said laser material comprises Nd3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 0.5×10 20 ions/cc to 5×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said laser material comprises Nd3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 0.5×10 20 ions/cc to 5×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The optical fiber of claim 1 wherein said laser material comprises Nd3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 1×10 20 ions/cc to 5×10 20 ions/cc and Yb3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 1×10 20 ions/cc to 10×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The optical fiber of claim 5 wherein said laser material comprises Nd3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 1×10 20 ions/cc to 5×10 20 ions/cc and Yb3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 1×10 20 ions/cc to 10×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said laser material comprises Nd3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 1×10 20 ions/cc to 5×10 20 ions/cc and Yb3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 1×10 20 ions/cc to 10×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said laser material comprises Nd3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 1×10 20 ions/cc to 5×10 20 ions/cc and Yb3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 1×10 20 ions/cc to 10×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The optical fiber of claim 1 wherein said laser material comprises Yb3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 3×10 20 ions/cc to 20×10 20 ions/cc and Er3 3 having concentrations substantially in the range of 0.1×10 20 ions/cc to 2×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The optical fiber of claim 5 wherein the laser material comprises Yb3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 3×10 20 ions/cc to 20×10 20 ions/cc and Er3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 0.1×10 20 ions/cc to 2×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said laser material comprises Yb3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 3×10 20 ions/cc to 20×10 20 ions/cc and Er3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 0.1×10 20 ions/cc to 2×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said laser material comprises Yb3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 3×10 20 ions/cc to 20×10 20 ions/cc and Er3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 0.1×10 20 ions/cc to 2×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
283 words
An apparatus comprising: a first fiber which comprises a substantially single-mode core having an index of refraction n 1 comprised of laser material disposed within a multi-mode cladding having an index of refraction n 2 and a further cladding having an index of refraction n 3 surrounding said multi-mode cladding with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode cladding; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode cladding taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of the fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path said further cladding does not completely surround said multi=mode cladding along a portion of the axial extend of said first fiber, and n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3 ; and a second fiber which comprises a multi-mode waveguide and another further cladding surrounding said multi-mode waveguide with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode waveguide; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode waveguide taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of the fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path, and one end of said second fiber is formed into a wedge; and said multi-mode cladding is affixed to the wedge at the end of said waveguide along said portion of the first fiber.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
283 words
An apparatus comprising: a first fiber which comprises a substantially single-mode core having an index of refraction n 1 comprised of laser material disposed within a multi-mode cladding having an index of refraction n 2 and a further cladding having an index of refraction n 3 surrounding said multi-mode cladding with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode cladding; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode cladding taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of the fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path said further cladding does not completely surround said multi=mode cladding along a portion of the axial extend of said first fiber, and n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3 ; and a second fiber which comprises a multi-mode waveguide and another further cladding surrounding said multi-mode waveguide with substantially no space between said further cladding and said multi-mode waveguide; wherein the cross-sectional area of said multi-mode waveguide taken substantially transverse to the axial extent of the fiber has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path, and one end of said second fiber is formed into a wedge; and said multi-mode cladding is affixed to the wedge at the end of said waveguide along said portion of the first fiber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the laser material comprises Nd3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 0.5×10 20 ions/cc to 5×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the laser material comprises Nd 3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 1×10 20 ions/cc to 5×10 20 ions/cc and Yb3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 1×10 20 ions/cc to 10×10 20 ions/cc
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the laser material comprises Yb3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 3×10 20 ions/cc to 20×10 20 ions/cc and Er3 + having concentrations substantially in the range of 0.1×10 20 ions/cc to 2×10 20 ions/cc.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a reflector disposed at the end of the waveguide.
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) | 1992-03-20 | 1992-09-19 | 1993-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-20 | 1996-09-19 | 1997-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-09-19 | 2001-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |