US5297155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunable laser assembly
Assignee: Viavi Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1993-03-29
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Granted: 1994-03-22
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Expires: 2013-03-29
Abstract
Abstract An assembly for tuning a laser by a stepper motor alone is provided. A diffraction grating forming a resonance cavity with an end of the laser is rotated by the stepper motor. A follower arm affixed to the rotatable grating, engages a cam, which is driven by the stepper motor. The cam and follower arm are designed so that there is a linear relationship between the rotation of the stepper motor and that of the grating.
Inventors
- 👤 Jing-Jong Pan
- 👤 Frank Y. F. Liang
- 👤 Xing-Liang Jing
- 👤 Ming Shih
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:01
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/105; H01S3/1055; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/086; H01S3/13; H01S3/139
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An assembly for tuning a laser mounted to a base, comprising a stepper motor mounted to said base, said motor having a rotatable shaft; means, responsive to control signals and connected to said stepper motor, for controlling rotation of said stepper motor shaft; a cam mounted to said stepper motor shaft; a grating rotatably mounted to said base and positioned with respect to an end of said laser to form an tuning cavity therewith; and a follower arm in fixed relationship to said grating and biased against said cam; whereby said cavity is tuned to vary the output of said laser by rotating said grating in response to said control signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An assembly for tuning a laser mounted to a base, comprising a stepper motor mounted to said base, said motor having a rotatable shaft; means, responsive to control signals and connected to said stepper motor, for controlling rotation of said stepper motor shaft; a cam mounted to said stepper motor shaft; a grating rotatably mounted to said base and positioned with respect to an end of said laser to form an tuning cavity therewith; and a follower arm in fixed relationship to said grating and biased against said cam; whereby said cavity is tuned to vary the output of said laser by rotating said grating in response to said control signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said follower arm has a spring arm extending therefrom, said follower arm and said spring arm engaging said cam therebetween to resiliently bias said follower arm against said cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said cam is shaped so that said follower arm is displaced from said stepper motor shaft in a linear relationship with respect to the angle of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assembly of claim 3 wherein the length of said cam follower arm is defined and said cam is shaped so that said grating rotates in a very small angular range compared to a full rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said grating rotates in a range of 10°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for calibrating said assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein said calibrating means comprises a light detector connected to said controlling means and a plurality of mirrors mounted to said base, said mirrors arranged to form a reflective path for light from said grating to said detector when said grating is rotated to a particular position, said detector generating an output signal to said controlling means indicative of a calibration point for said grating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein has three mirrors arranged to form corners of a rectangle with said light detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
In an assembly having a laser mounted to a base, said laser capable of being tuned by rotation of a grating forming a resonance cavity with an end of said laser and a rotatable grating, a subassembly for calibrating the angular position of said grating, comprising a light detector mounted to said base; and a plurality of mirrors mounted to said base, said mirrors arranged to form a reflective path for light from said grating to said detector when said grating is rotated to a particular position, the reception of light by said detector indicative of a calibration point for said grating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
In an assembly having a laser mounted to a base, said laser capable of being tuned by rotation of a grating forming a resonance cavity with an end of said laser and a rotatable grating, a subassembly for calibrating the angular position of said grating, comprising a light detector mounted to said base; and a plurality of mirrors mounted to said base, said mirrors arranged to form a reflective path for light from said grating to said detector when said grating is rotated to a particular position, the reception of light by said detector indicative of a calibration point for said grating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The subassembly of claim 9 wherein said plurality of mirrors comprises three mirrors arranged to form corners of a rectangle with said light detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
In an improved assembly having a laser mounted to a base, a grating rotatably mounted to said base, said laser capable of being tuned by the rotation of said grating forming a resonance cavity with an end of said laser and said rotatable grating, the improvement comprising a stepper motor mounted to said base, said motor having a rotatable shaft; means, responsive to control signals and connected to said stepper motor, for controlling rotation of said stepper motor shaft; a cam mounted to said stepper motor shaft; and a follower arm mounted to said grating and biased against said cam; whereby said cavity is tuned to vary the output of said laser by rotating said grating in response to said control signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
122 words
In an improved assembly having a laser mounted to a base, a grating rotatably mounted to said base, said laser capable of being tuned by the rotation of said grating forming a resonance cavity with an end of said laser and said rotatable grating, the improvement comprising a stepper motor mounted to said base, said motor having a rotatable shaft; means, responsive to control signals and connected to said stepper motor, for controlling rotation of said stepper motor shaft; a cam mounted to said stepper motor shaft; and a follower arm mounted to said grating and biased against said cam; whereby said cavity is tuned to vary the output of said laser by rotating said grating in response to said control signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improved assembly of claim 11 wherein said follower arm has a spring arm extending therefrom, said follower arm and said spring arm engaging said cam therebetween to resiliently bias said follower arm against said cam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assembly of claim 11 wherein said cam is shaped so that said follower arm is displaced from said stepper motor shaft in a linear relationship with respect to the angle of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assembly of claim 13 wherein the length of said cam follower arm is defined and said cam is shaped so that said grating rotates in a very small angular range compared to a full rotation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 14 wherein said grating rotates in a range of 10°.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-21 | 1997-09-20 | 1998-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-21 | 2001-09-20 | 2002-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-21 | 2005-09-20 | 2006-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |