US5109447A — High-powered, spectrally flat, very broadband opt…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 114 words

A broadband optical source comprising: N optical sources, where N is a positive integer and N ≧ 2, said N optical sources outputting a plurality of optical signals having center wavelengths λi, spectral widths Δλi and powers Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to each of said N optical sources, where for every i, said center wavelengths λi are separated by less than said spectral widths Δλi, said N optical sources providing a broadband optical signal when combined together, said broadband optical signal having a maximum power variation within a predetermined value; and a waveguide coupler for receiving and combining said plurality of optical signals and for outputting said broadband optical signal.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 114 words

A broadband optical source comprising: N optical sources, where N is a positive integer and N ≧ 2, said N optical sources outputting a plurality of optical signals having center wavelengths λi, spectral widths Δλi and powers Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to each of said N optical sources, where for every i, said center wavelengths λi are separated by less than said spectral widths Δλi, said N optical sources providing a broadband optical signal when combined together, said broadband optical signal having a maximum power variation within a predetermined value; and a waveguide coupler for receiving and combining said plurality of optical signals and for outputting said broadband optical signal.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 36 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an output fiber for receiving said broadband optical radiation, a first end of said output fiber optically coupled to an output of said waveguide coupler.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, wherein said waveguide coupler is an N × 1 waveguide coupler.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, wherein said N optical sources comprise LED sources.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, wherein for every i, said center wavelengths λi are separated by less than 2/3 of said spectral widths Δλi.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, wherein for every i, said center wavelengths λi are separated by less than 1/2 of said spectral widths Δλi.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, wherein each one of said plurality of optical signals has a frequency component in common with at least one other of said plurality of optical signals.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of frequency spectra corresponding to said plurality of optical signals overlap.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined value is approximately 1/2 of the power Pi of the largest power of said optical sources.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 18 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 2, wherein said output fiber is a 100/140 micrometer fiber.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 10, wherein said waveguide coupler is a 4 × 1 waveguide coupler.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 53 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of input fibers corresponding to said N optical sources, a first end of said plurality of input fibers being connected to said waveguide coupler and a second end of said plurality of input fibers receiving said plurality of optical signals.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 12, wherein said plurality of input fibers comprise ball lensed fibers.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 13, wherein said plurality of input fibers comprise cleaved fibers with micro-lenses.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim wherein said waveguide coupler is a tree coupler.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 32 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of heat sinks each of said N optical sources being mounted on one of said plurality of heat sinks.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 17 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 16, wherein said plurality of heat sinks comprise copper.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of said plurality of heat sinks comprises an integral step platform.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 53 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a plurality of input fibers corresponding to said N optical sources, a first end of said plurality of input fibers receiving said plurality of optical signals and a second end of said plurality of input fibers being connected to said waveguide coupler.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 26 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 19, wherein each of said plurality of input fibers is attached to each of said integral step platforms.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of said plurality of heat sinks further comprises a fiber stress relieve tube.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 21 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a circuit board for mounting said plurality of heat sinks.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 16 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 22, wherein said circuit board comprises aluminum nitride.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 22 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a single heat sink block for mounting said N optical sources.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 103 words

A broadband LED source comprising: N LEDs, where N is a positive integer and N ≧ 2, said N LEDs outputting a plurality of optical signals having center wavelengths λi, spectral widths Δλi and powers Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to each of said N optical sources, having said center wavelengths λi separated by less than said spectral widths Δλi; broadband optical source design means for predicting a broadband output, said N LEDs being selected according to said broadband output; and a waveguide coupler for receiving and combining said plurality of optical signals and for outputting a broadband optical signal.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 103 words

A broadband LED source comprising: N LEDs, where N is a positive integer and N ≧ 2, said N LEDs outputting a plurality of optical signals having center wavelengths λi, spectral widths Δλi and powers Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to each of said N optical sources, having said center wavelengths λi separated by less than said spectral widths Δλi; broadband optical source design means for predicting a broadband output, said N LEDs being selected according to said broadband output; and a waveguide coupler for receiving and combining said plurality of optical signals and for outputting a broadband optical signal.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 72 words

A method for producing a broadband optical output comprising the steps of: selecting, according to a broadband optical source design model, a plurality of optical sources, said plurality of optical sources outputting a plurality of optical signals with center wavelengths λi, spectral widths Δλi and powers Pi, having said center wavelengths λi separated by less than said spectral widths Δλi; combining said plurality of optical signals resulting in said broadband optical output.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 72 words

A method for producing a broadband optical output comprising the steps of: selecting, according to a broadband optical source design model, a plurality of optical sources, said plurality of optical sources outputting a plurality of optical signals with center wavelengths λi, spectral widths Δλi and powers Pi, having said center wavelengths λi separated by less than said spectral widths Δλi; combining said plurality of optical signals resulting in said broadband optical output.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method for producing a broadband optical output as claimed in claim 26, wherein said selecting step further comprises computing a broadband output.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method for producing a broadband optical output as claimed in claim 26, wherein said selecting step further comprises computing a broadband output based on said center wavelengths λi, said spectral widths Δλi and said powers Pi.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method for producing a broadband optical output as claimed in claim 26, wherein said selecting step further comprises computing a broadband output spectrum.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method for producing a broadband optical output as claimed in claim 26, wherein said selecting step further comprises displaying a broadband output spectrum.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method for producing a broadband optical output as claimed in claim 26, wherein said selecting step further comprises determining a broadband output spectrum based on said center wavelengths λi, said spectral widths Δλi and said powers Pi.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method for producing a broadband optical output as claimed in claim 26, wherein said selecting step further comprises selecting a plurality of optical sources having said center wavelengths λi are separated by less than 2/3 of said spectral widths Δλi.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method for producing a broadband optical output as claimed in claim 26, wherein said selecting step further comprises selecting a plurality of optical sources having said center wavelengths λi separated by less than 1/2 of said spectral widths Δλi.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 50 words

The method for producing a broadband optical output as claimed in claim 26, wherein said selecting step further comprises selecting a plurality of optical sources, each one of said plurality of optical signals having a frequency component in common with at least one other of said plurality of optical signals.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method for producing a broadband optical output as claimed in claim 26, wherein said selecting step further comprises selecting a plurality of optical sources having overlapping frequency spectra.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 127 words

A broadband optical source comprising: N optical sources, where N is a positive integer and N ≧ 2, each of said N optical sources outputting optical radiation having a center wavelength λi, a spectral width Δλi and power Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to one of said N optical sources; a plurality of interferences filters for combining said optical radiation into a plurality of pairs of optical signals; a plurality of input fibers for receiving said plurality of pairs of optical signals at a first end of said plurality of input fibers; and a waveguide coupler, optically coupled to a second end of said plurality of input fibers, for combining said plurality of pairs of optical signals and for outputting a broadband optical signal.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 127 words

A broadband optical source comprising: N optical sources, where N is a positive integer and N ≧ 2, each of said N optical sources outputting optical radiation having a center wavelength λi, a spectral width Δλi and power Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to one of said N optical sources; a plurality of interferences filters for combining said optical radiation into a plurality of pairs of optical signals; a plurality of input fibers for receiving said plurality of pairs of optical signals at a first end of said plurality of input fibers; and a waveguide coupler, optically coupled to a second end of said plurality of input fibers, for combining said plurality of pairs of optical signals and for outputting a broadband optical signal.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 17 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 36, wherein said N optical sources comprise LED sources.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 25 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 36, wherein said center wavelengths λi are separated by less than 2/3 of said spectral widths Δλi.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 25 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 36, wherein said center wavelengths λi are separated by less than 1/2 of said spectral widths Δλi.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 23 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 36, wherein said center wavelengths λi are separated by less than said spectral widths Δλi.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 35 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 36, wherein each one of said plurality of optical signals has a frequency component in common with at least one other of said plurality of optical signals.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 23 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 36, wherein the plurality of frequency spectra corresponding to said plurality of optical signals overlap.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 13 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 36, wherein N = 4.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 26 words

The broadband optical source as claimed in claim 36, wherein said waveguide coupler is an N/2 × 1 waveguide coupler and N is an even number.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 99 words

A fiber optic sensor interface system comprising: N optical sources, where N is a positive integer and N ≧ 2, said N optical sources outputting a plurality of optical signals having center wavelengths λi, spectral widths Δλi and powers Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to each of said N optical sources; a waveguide coupler for receiving and combining said plurality of optical signals and for outputting a broadband optical signal; and a sensor head, optically coupled to said waveguide coupler, for receiving and encoding said broadband optical signal and for outputting an encoded broadband optical signal.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 99 words

A fiber optic sensor interface system comprising: N optical sources, where N is a positive integer and N ≧ 2, said N optical sources outputting a plurality of optical signals having center wavelengths λi, spectral widths Δλi and powers Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to each of said N optical sources; a waveguide coupler for receiving and combining said plurality of optical signals and for outputting a broadband optical signal; and a sensor head, optically coupled to said waveguide coupler, for receiving and encoding said broadband optical signal and for outputting an encoded broadband optical signal.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 27 words

The fiber optic interface system as claimed in claim 45 further comprising detector means for detecting said encoded broadband optical signal and for outputting an electrical signal.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 24 words

The fiber optic interface system as claimed in claim 46 further comprising analog-to-digital converter means for converting said electrical signal to a digital signal.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 21 words

The fiber optic interface system as claimed in claim 47 further comprising processor means for receiving and processing said digital signal.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 130 words

A universal fiber optic sensor interface system comprising: a multi-broadband optical source comprising a plurality of broadband optical sources, each of said plurality of broadband optical sources comprising: N optical sources, where N is a positive integer and N ≧ 2, said N optical sources outputting a plurality of optical signals having center wavelengths λi, spectral widths Δλi and powers Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to each of said N optical sources; and a waveguide coupler for receiving and combining said plurality of optical signals and for outputting a broadband optical signal; and a plurality of sensor heads, said plurality of sensor heads optically coupled to said waveguide couplers, for receiving and encoding said broadband optical signals and for outputting a plurality of encoded broadband optical signals.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 130 words

A universal fiber optic sensor interface system comprising: a multi-broadband optical source comprising a plurality of broadband optical sources, each of said plurality of broadband optical sources comprising: N optical sources, where N is a positive integer and N ≧ 2, said N optical sources outputting a plurality of optical signals having center wavelengths λi, spectral widths Δλi and powers Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to each of said N optical sources; and a waveguide coupler for receiving and combining said plurality of optical signals and for outputting a broadband optical signal; and a plurality of sensor heads, said plurality of sensor heads optically coupled to said waveguide couplers, for receiving and encoding said broadband optical signals and for outputting a plurality of encoded broadband optical signals.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 33 words

The universal fiber optic sensor interface system as claimed in claim 49, further comprising detector means for detecting said plurality of encoded broadband optical signals and for outputting a plurality of electrical signals.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 30 words

The universal fiber optic sensor interface system as claimed in claim 50, further comprising analog-to-digital converter means for converting said plurality of electrical signals to a plurality of digital signals.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 25 words

The universal fiber optic sensor interface system as claimed in claim 51, further comprising processor means for receiving and processing said plurality of digital signals.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-04-28	1995-10-28	1996-04-28	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-04-28	1999-10-28	2000-04-28	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-04-28	2003-10-28	2004-04-28	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

High-powered, spectrally flat, very broadband optical source including optical coupler and method using same

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag