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US5123070A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of monolithic temperature-stabilization of a laser diode by evanescent coupling to a temperature stable grating

Assignee: Tacan Corp
•
Filing: 1990-09-10
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Granted: 1992-06-16
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Expires: 2010-09-10
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Abstract

Abstract An integral waveguide is formed in the epitaxial layers as a continuation of a diode laser. The waveguide runs away from the laser active region. Light is coupled out of the laser and its integral waveguide into a dielectric waveguide which runs parallel and adjacent to the integral waveguide. Processing to form the temperature-stabilized Bragg grating, therefore, need not be performed on the laser substrate directly adjacent to the active area, but can be done some distance away to avoid damage to the laser's active area.

Inventors

  • 👤 Eric M. Bradley

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 05:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/10; H01S5/18; H01S5/185; H01S5/187; H01S5/02; H01S5/026; H01S5/1028; H01S5/1032; H01S5/12; H01S5/125; H01S5/14; H01S5/141

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 145 words
A method for monolithically coupling a diode laser to a wavelength stabilizer which comprises: selecting a substrate; forming a diode laser on said substrate with an optical path running therethrough; forming a first waveguide integral with said diode laser and extending for a length therefrom along said optical path; defining a location on said substrate separate from said diode laser, adjacent to and running parallel to at least a portion of said first waveguide; depositing a plurality of dielectric layers having approximately equal and opposite index-temperature coefficients over said location whereby a second waveguide is formed; and forming a Bragg grating on a portion of said second waveguide corresponding to said location farthest from said diode laser so that light emitted by said diode laser is guided by said first waveguide, coupled into said second waveguide and subjected to wavelength stabilization by said Bragg grating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 145 words
A method for monolithically coupling a diode laser to a wavelength stabilizer which comprises: selecting a substrate; forming a diode laser on said substrate with an optical path running therethrough; forming a first waveguide integral with said diode laser and extending for a length therefrom along said optical path; defining a location on said substrate separate from said diode laser, adjacent to and running parallel to at least a portion of said first waveguide; depositing a plurality of dielectric layers having approximately equal and opposite index-temperature coefficients over said location whereby a second waveguide is formed; and forming a Bragg grating on a portion of said second waveguide corresponding to said location farthest from said diode laser so that light emitted by said diode laser is guided by said first waveguide, coupled into said second waveguide and subjected to wavelength stabilization by said Bragg grating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of defining a location includes defining said location in close enough proximity to said first waveguide to permit coupling of light from said first waveguide to said second waveguide for at least a portion of their respective lengths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of forming a Bragg grating further comprises forming a Bragg grating between adjacent waveguide layers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said diode laser has an end facet along said optical path opposite said first waveguide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said diode laser has a secondary grating along said optical path opposite said first waveguide whereby a surface emitting laser is formed.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 162 words
A method of monolithically coupling a diode laser to a wavelength stabilizer which comprises: selecting a substrate; forming a diode laser on said substrate with an optical path running therethrough; forming a first waveguide integral with said diode laser and extending for a length therefrom along said optical path; depositing a plurality of dielectric layers having approximately equal and opposite index-temperature coefficients over said diode laser and said first waveguide; defining a second waveguide in said plurality of dielectric layers so that a first portion of said second waveguide overlies said first waveguide and at least one second portion of said second waveguide is separated from said first waveguide and said diode laser; and forming a Bragg grating on said second portion of said second waveguide at a location farthest from said diode laser so that light emitted by said diode laser is guided by said first waveguide, coupled into said second waveguide and subjected to wavelength stabilization by said Bragg grating.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 162 words
A method of monolithically coupling a diode laser to a wavelength stabilizer which comprises: selecting a substrate; forming a diode laser on said substrate with an optical path running therethrough; forming a first waveguide integral with said diode laser and extending for a length therefrom along said optical path; depositing a plurality of dielectric layers having approximately equal and opposite index-temperature coefficients over said diode laser and said first waveguide; defining a second waveguide in said plurality of dielectric layers so that a first portion of said second waveguide overlies said first waveguide and at least one second portion of said second waveguide is separated from said first waveguide and said diode laser; and forming a Bragg grating on said second portion of said second waveguide at a location farthest from said diode laser so that light emitted by said diode laser is guided by said first waveguide, coupled into said second waveguide and subjected to wavelength stabilization by said Bragg grating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein the step of forming a Bragg grating further comprises forming a Bragg grating between adjacent dielectric layers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein said diode laser has an end facet along said optical path opposite said first waveguide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 29 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein said diode laser has a secondary grating along said optical path opposite said first waveguide whereby a surface emitting laser is formed.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 1995-06-16 1995-12-16 1996-06-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-06-16 1999-12-16 2000-06-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-06-16 2003-12-16 2004-06-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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