US4930131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Source of high repetition rate, high power optical pulses
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1989-01-06
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Granted: 1990-05-29
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Expires: 2009-01-06
Abstract
Abstract An optical device is disclosed wherein a Fabry-Perot etalon (12) is used as a spectral mode selector externally coupled to a source of modelocked optical pulses (10). By adjusting the cavity length of the etalon (12), a plurality of equally spaced predetermined modes output from the source are transmitted by the etalon. These modes which are transmitted combine coherently to create a stream of optical pulses (16) having a higher repetition rate than the repetition rate of the source.
Inventors
- 👤 II Theodore Sizer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/005; H01S3/0057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
An optical device for generating a stream of optical pulses comprising: a source of modelocked optical pulses occurring at a first repetition rate, and means coupled optically to said source for selecting at least two predetermined spectral modes output from said source to generate a stream of optical pulses at a second repetition rate, said second repetition rate being higher than the first repetition rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
An optical device for generating a stream of optical pulses comprising: a source of modelocked optical pulses occurring at a first repetition rate, and means coupled optically to said source for selecting at least two predetermined spectral modes output from said source to generate a stream of optical pulses at a second repetition rate, said second repetition rate being higher than the first repetition rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The optical device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for selecting includes first and second reflectors spaced apart by a predetermined distance and substantially parallel to each other to form an etalon, said predetermined distance being that required for said etalon to transmit said at least two predetermined spectral modes output from said source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The optical device as defined in claim 2 wherein said predetermined distance is further characterized as the distance required for said etalon to transmit a plurality of equally spaced spectral modes of said source when more than two modes are selected by said means for selecting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The optical device as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for selecting further includes means for beam shaping said optical pulses occurring at said first repetition rate, said means for beam shaping positioned intermediately between said source of modelocked optical pulses and said etalon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The optical device as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for selecting further includes means for isolating said optical pulses occurring at said first repetition rate so as to prevent said optical pulses from returning to said source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical device as defined in claim 5 wherein said source of modelocked optical pulses includes a laser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The optical device as defined in claim 6 wherein said etalon further includes means for optically amplifying said stream of optical pulses at said second repetition rate to a predetermined power level, said means for optically amplifying includes a gain medium positioned within said etalon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical device as defined in claim 7 wherein said gain medium includes a Nd:YAG rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optical device for generating at least first and second streams of optical pulses comprising: a source of modelocked optical pulses occuring at a first repetition rate, at least first and second means each for selecting at least two predetermined spectral modes output from said source to generate said at least first and second streams of optical pulses each having a second repetition rate greater than said first repetition rate, and means for optically directing a plurality of spectral modes reflected from said first means for selecting to said second means for selecting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optical device for generating at least first and second streams of optical pulses comprising: a source of modelocked optical pulses occuring at a first repetition rate, at least first and second means each for selecting at least two predetermined spectral modes output from said source to generate said at least first and second streams of optical pulses each having a second repetition rate greater than said first repetition rate, and means for optically directing a plurality of spectral modes reflected from said first means for selecting to said second means for selecting.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The optical device as defined in claim 9 wherein said at least first and second means for selecting each includes first and second reflectors spaced apart by a predetermined distance and substantially parallel to each other to form an etalon, said predetermined distance being that required for said etalon to transmit said at least two predetermined spectral modes of said source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The optical device as defined in claim 10 wherein said predetermined distance is further characterized as the distance required for said etalon to transmit a plurality of equally spaced spectral modes of said source when more than two modes are selected by said means for selecting.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The optical device as defined in claim 11 wherein said at least first and second means for selecting each further includes means for beam shaping said optical pulses occurring at said first repetition rate, said means for beam shaping positioned intermediately between said means for optically directing and said etalon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The optical device as defined in claim 12 wherein said at least first and second means for selecting each further includes means for isolating said optical pulses occurring at said first repetition rate so as to prevent said optical pulses from returning to said source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical device as defined in claim 13 wherein said at least first and second streams of optical pulses each have a different second repetition rate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical device as defined in claim 13 wherein said at least first and second streams of optical pulses have a substantially equal second repetition rate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical device as defined in claim 15 wherein said source of modelocked optical pulses includes a laser.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The optical device as defined in claim 16 wherein said etalon further includes means for optically amplifying said stream of optical pulses at said second repetition rate to a predetermined power level, said means for optically amplifying includes a gain medium positioned within said etalon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical device of claim 17 wherein said gain medium includes a Nd:YAG rod.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-28 | 1993-11-27 | 1994-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-28 | 1997-11-27 | 1998-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-28 | 2001-11-27 | 2002-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |