US5151908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser with longitudinal mode selection
Assignee: Ciena Corp
•
Filing: 1991-10-09
•
Granted: 1992-09-29
•
Expires: 2011-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A laser is fabricated from an optical transmission medium having a laser cavity with an rare earth (e.g. Erbium) doped portion. At least one longitudinal mode is suppressed using a plurality of series coupled Fabry-Perot cavities an optical grating, or a combination thereof. Ring lasers and linear structures are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 David R. Huber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08018; H01S3/08022; H01S3/08031; H01S3/08036; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/067; H01S3/081; H01S3/083; H01S3/0675; H01S3/06791; H01S3/14; H01S3/16; H01S3/1601; H01S3/1603; H01S3/1608
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A laser for providing an optical carrier comprising: a first Fabry-Perot cavity of length L formed from an optical material containing a laser medium to provide a laser cavity; and a second Fabry-Perot cavity of length 1<L at least approximately centered within said first Fabry-Perot cavity; wherein the length L of said first Fabry-Perot cavity is selected to limit the longitudinal modes of said laser cavity and the length 1 of said second Fabry-Perot cavity is selected to minimize gain except at a desired lasing wavelength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A laser for providing an optical carrier comprising: a first Fabry-Perot cavity of length L formed from an optical material containing a laser medium to provide a laser cavity; and a second Fabry-Perot cavity of length 1<L at least approximately centered within said first Fabry-Perot cavity; wherein the length L of said first Fabry-Perot cavity is selected to limit the longitudinal modes of said laser cavity and the length 1 of said second Fabry-Perot cavity is selected to minimize gain except at a desired lasing wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser in accordance with claim 1 further comprising: a polarization filter in said first Fabry-Perot cavity near said second Fabry-Perot cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A laser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first Fabry-Perot cavity comprises a reflector at one end thereof and a grating at the other end thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A laser in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second Fabry-Perot cavity comprises a pair of closely spaced reflectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A laser in accordance with claim 4 wherein at least one of said closely spaced reflectors comprises a grating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 4 wherein said closely spaced reflectors are mirrors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said optical material is an optical fiber at least partially doped with a rare earth element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 7 wherein said rare earth element is Erbium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 7 wherein said rare earth element is Neodymium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 7 wherein said rare earth element is Praseodymium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A laser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said optical material is a waveguide at least partially doped with a rare earth element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 11 wherein said waveguide is a silica waveguide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 12 wherein said rare earth element is Erbium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 12 wherein said rare earth element is Neodymium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 12 wherein said rare earth element is Praseodymium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A laser for providing an optical carrier comprising: a Fabry-Perot cavity formed from an optical material containing a laser medium to provide a laser cavity; and a Moire grating at least approximately centered within said Fabry-Perot cavity; wherein the length of said Fabry-Perot cavity is selected to limit the longitudinal modes of said laser cavity and said Moire grating has a transmission peak at one of said modes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A laser for providing an optical carrier comprising: a Fabry-Perot cavity formed from an optical material containing a laser medium to provide a laser cavity; and a Moire grating at least approximately centered within said Fabry-Perot cavity; wherein the length of said Fabry-Perot cavity is selected to limit the longitudinal modes of said laser cavity and said Moire grating has a transmission peak at one of said modes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser in accordance with claim 16 further comprising: a polarization filter in said Fabry-Perot cavity near said Moire grating.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laser in accordance with claim 16 wherein said Fabry-Perot cavity comprises a reflector at one end thereof and a grating at the other end thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laser in accordance with claim 16 wherein said optical material is an optical fiber at least partially doped with a rare earth element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A laser in accordance with claim 16 wherein said optical material is a waveguide at least partially doped with a rare earth element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3958188A
Cited
US4358851A
Cited
US4530097A
Cited
US4564949A
Cited
US4734380A
Cited
US4805185A
Cited
US4734912A
Cited
US4794615A
Cited
US4901322A
Cited
US4963832A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-29 | 1996-03-30 | 1996-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-29 | 2000-03-30 | 2000-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-29 | 2004-03-30 | 2004-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |