US5159601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing a tunable erbium fiber laser
Assignee: Ciena Corp
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Filing: 1991-07-17
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Granted: 1992-10-27
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Expires: 2011-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A laser cavity is formed from two mirrors and an erbium fiber gain medium. One mirror is a dichroic mirror and the other is formed by a grating. The grating period determines the wavelength of light that is reflected, and can be changed by physically stretching or constricting the substrate to which the grating is attached. In one embodiment, the laser is tuned by adjusting the dimensions of the grating using a heating element. In another embodiment, the dimensions of the grating are adjusted using a piezoelectric ceramic material to which the grating is mounted.
Inventors
- 👤 David R. Huber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/067; H01S3/0675; H01S3/10; H01S3/105; H01S3/1055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A tunable fiber laser comprising: an optical fiber laser cavity including a temperature sensitive element for establishing a laser wavelength; a heating element mounted adjacent said temperature sensitive element; and circuit control means including said heating element for adjusting the heating element temperature to tune the laser wavelength established by said temperature sensitive element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A tunable fiber laser comprising: an optical fiber laser cavity including a temperature sensitive element for establishing a laser wavelength; a heating element mounted adjacent said temperature sensitive element; and circuit control means including said heating element for adjusting the heating element temperature to tune the laser wavelength established by said temperature sensitive element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A laser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said laser cavity comprises: a first mirror; a fiber laser having a first end coupled to said first mirror; and a second mirror coupled to a second end of said fiber laser; wherein said second mirror is the temperature sensitive element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 2 wherein said second mirror is a grating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A laser in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first mirror is a dichroic filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser in accordance with claim 3 further comprising a Fabry-Perot etalon in said laser cavity between said first and second mirrors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 5 wherein said fiber laser is erbium doped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laser in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a Fabry-Perot etalon in said laser cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fiber laser is erbium doped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A laser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said temperature sensitive element is a grating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tunable fiber laser comprising: a piezoelectric substrate an optical fiber laser cavity including a grating for establishing a laser wavelength, wherein said grating is bonded to said piezoelectric substrate; and control means for applying an electric field to said piezoelectric substrate, thereby adjusting a dimension of said grating to tune the wavelength of said optical fiber laser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tunable fiber laser comprising: a piezoelectric substrate an optical fiber laser cavity including a grating for establishing a laser wavelength, wherein said grating is bonded to said piezoelectric substrate; and control means for applying an electric field to said piezoelectric substrate, thereby adjusting a dimension of said grating to tune the wavelength of said optical fiber laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A laser in accordance with claim 10 wherein said laser cavity comprises: a first mirror; a fiber laser having a first end coupled to said first mirror; and a second mirror coupled to a second end of said fiber laser; wherein said grating is the second mirror.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A laser in accordance with claim 11 wherein said first mirror is a dichroic filter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a Fabry-Perot etalon in said laser cavity between said first and second mirrors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 13 wherein said fiber laser is erbium doped.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laser in accordance with claim 10 further comprising a Fabry-Perot etalon in said laser cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser in accordance with claim 10 wherein said fiber laser is erbium doped.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-27 | 1996-04-27 | 1996-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-27 | 2000-04-27 | 2000-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-27 | 2004-04-27 | 2004-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |