Patent US4993032A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4993032A
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Monolithic temperature stabilized optical tuning circuit for channel separation in WDM systems utilizing tunable lasers
Assignee: Tacan Corp
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Filing: 1989-12-28
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Granted: 1991-02-12
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Expires: 2009-12-28
Abstract
Abstract The feedback control loop for temperature stabilization of a tunable diode laser consists of a series of lenses or gratings and a detector array disposed in the optical path. The lenses or gratings of the feedback loop are formed in a planar optical waveguide which is temperature stabilized, being fabricated from a plurality of dielectric materials which have approximately equal and opposite changes in refractive index with temperature. Light from a tunable diode laser is input into the loop and is collimated, deflected, and focused onto a portion of the detector array depending on the wavelength of the light. Each detector within the array corresponds to a given wavelength. The detector converts the detected wavelength into an electrical signal which is fed back to the laser phase control to provide tuning to the desired channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric M. Bradley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/06; H01S5/068; H01S5/0683; H01S5/0687; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/12004; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/50; H04B10/501; H04B10/506; H04B10/572; H01S5/005; H01S5/0078; H01S5/02; H01S5/022; H01S5/023; H01S5/02325; H01S5/062; H01S5/0625; H01S5/06255
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A feedback control loop for temperature stabilization of a tunable diode laser comprising: a substrate comprising a laminar body of ultra-low thermal expansion glass; a waveguide extending along a light path comprising a plurality of dielectric layers deposited on said substrate, a first dielectric layer having a refractive index and a second dielectric layer abutting said first dielectric layer which exhibits temperature dependent change in refractive index opposite to that of said first layer, in which is formed along said light path a first lens, a diffraction grating to deflect light at a varying angle depending on a light wavelenqth, and a second lens; a detector array disposed in the focal plane of said second lens; and a feedback means to convert the wavelength detected by said detector array to a signal for tuning said tunable diode laser to the desired wavelength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A feedback control loop for temperature stabilization of a tunable diode laser comprising: a substrate comprising a laminar body of ultra-low thermal expansion glass; a waveguide extending along a light path comprising a plurality of dielectric layers deposited on said substrate, a first dielectric layer having a refractive index and a second dielectric layer abutting said first dielectric layer which exhibits temperature dependent change in refractive index opposite to that of said first layer, in which is formed along said light path a first lens, a diffraction grating to deflect light at a varying angle depending on a light wavelenqth, and a second lens; a detector array disposed in the focal plane of said second lens; and a feedback means to convert the wavelength detected by said detector array to a signal for tuning said tunable diode laser to the desired wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said first dielectric layer is SiO 2 wherein the change in refractive index with temperature is within the range of 1.0×1.0 -5 /°C. to 1.5×10 -5 /°C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said second layer of dielectric material has a change in refractive index with temperature in the range of -1.0×10 -5 /°C. to -1.5×10 -5 /°C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said second layer is Ta 2 O 5 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said layers comprise composites of low index-temperature coefficient materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said layers are deposited by ion assisted deposition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said first lens is a Bragg grating having ridges which are chirped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said second lens is a Bragg grating having ridges which are chirped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said diffraction grating has uniformly spaced ridges which run parallel to said light path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said diffraction grating has uniformly spaced ridges which run slightly off-parallel to said light path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said detector array is assembled adjacent to said waveguide and perpendicular to the focal plane of said second lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said detector array comprises a plurality of detectors disposed within said array having one detector corresponding to each wavelength in 1 Å increments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 1 wherein said first and second lenses are Bragg mirrors having ridges perpendicular to said light path and causing said light path to be folded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 13 wherein said Bragg mirrors are off-axis paraboloids.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A feedback control loop as in claim 13 wherein said Bragg mirrors are chirped.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
A feedback control loop for temperature stabilization of a tunable diode laser comprising: a substrate comprising a laminar body of ultra-low thermal expansion glass; a temperature stabilized waveguide extending along a light path in which is formed along said light path a first grating to collimate light, a diffraction grating to deflect light at a varying angle depending on the wavelength of light, and a second grating adapted to focus the deflected light; a detector array disposed in the focal plane of said second grating; and a feedback means to convert the wavelength detected by said detector array to a signal for tuning said tunable diode laser to the desired wavelength.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
111 words
A feedback control loop for temperature stabilization of a tunable diode laser comprising: a substrate comprising a laminar body of ultra-low thermal expansion glass; a temperature stabilized waveguide extending along a light path in which is formed along said light path a first grating to collimate light, a diffraction grating to deflect light at a varying angle depending on the wavelength of light, and a second grating adapted to focus the deflected light; a detector array disposed in the focal plane of said second grating; and a feedback means to convert the wavelength detected by said detector array to a signal for tuning said tunable diode laser to the desired wavelength.
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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) | 1994-02-11 | 1994-08-13 | 1995-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-11 | 1998-08-13 | 1999-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-11 | 2002-08-13 | 2003-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |