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US5345456A
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Spatially addressable surface emission sum frequency device
Assignee: National Research Council Canada
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Filing: 1993-03-11
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Granted: 1994-09-06
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Expires: 2013-03-11
Abstract
Abstract An active surface-emitting harmonic generator based on a multilayer Al x Ga 1-x As non linear waveguide integrated monlithically with a tunable InGaAs single quantum well laser is provided. Controlling the difference in frequency between a signal provided by the tunable laser and another input optical signal allows an output signal to be directed to any of a plurality of directions in space. Positioning detectors near the monolithic device allows spatial addressing. The controllable monolithic device may also be used to scan and thus to read data stored on holographic media.
Inventors
- 👤 Hongxing Dai
- 👤 Siegfried Janz
- 👤 Michel M. Dion
- 👤 Richard Normandin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/06; H01S5/0604; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y20/00; H01S5/10; H01S5/18; H01S5/185; H01S5/005; H01S5/0092; H01S5/02; H01S5/026; H01S5/0607; H01S5/0608; H01S5/062; H01S5/06233; H01S5/06243; H01S5/1039; H01S5/30; H01S5/32; H01S5/3211; H01S5/3215; H01S5/34; H01S5/343; H01S5/34313
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A monolithic integrated circuit for generating an output optical signal in any of a plurality of directions in space comprising: controllable coherent light injection means for generating a coherent signal, the frequency of the coherent signal being adjustable in dependence upon the magnitude of a controlling parameter; and non-linear waveguide means for generating the output optical signal in response to an other optical signal and to the coherent signal contra-propagating within the waveguide, the direction of the output optical signal being dependent upon the frequency difference between the coherent signal and the other optical signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A monolithic integrated circuit for generating an output optical signal in any of a plurality of directions in space comprising: controllable coherent light injection means for generating a coherent signal, the frequency of the coherent signal being adjustable in dependence upon the magnitude of a controlling parameter; and non-linear waveguide means for generating the output optical signal in response to an other optical signal and to the coherent signal contra-propagating within the waveguide, the direction of the output optical signal being dependent upon the frequency difference between the coherent signal and the other optical signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 1 wherein the other optical signal is generated by lasing means within the integrated circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 2 wherein the other optical signal is selected from one of a plurality of optical signals generated within the monolithic integrated circuit by the lasing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 1 wherein the other optical signal is an externally generated input optical signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 3 wherein the frequency of the optical output signal is equal to the sum of the frequency of the coherent signal and the frequency of the other optical signal, and wherein the direction of the output signal is related to the difference in wave vectors between the coherent signal and the other optical signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 4 wherein the frequency of the optical output signal is equal to the sum of the frequency of the coherent signal and the frequency of the other optical signal, and wherein the direction of the output signal is related to the difference in wave vectors between the coherent signal and the other optical signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 5 wherein the controlling parameter is one of electrical current, voltage, light, and temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 1 wherein the controllable light injection means comprises a tunable quantum-well laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A monolithic integrated circuit comprising: a multilayer waveguide wherein each adjacent layer of the multilayer waveguide has different linear and non-linear optical properties; and a separate confined single quantum well heterostructure embedded in the multilayer waveguide for providing gain of an optical signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A monolithic integrated circuit comprising: a multilayer waveguide wherein each adjacent layer of the multilayer waveguide has different linear and non-linear optical properties; and a separate confined single quantum well heterostructure embedded in the multilayer waveguide for providing gain of an optical signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 9 wherein the single quantum well heterostructure includes a cavity for lasing the optical signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 10 wherein the cavity includes distributed feedback means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 11 wherein the distributed feedback means comprises surface gratings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A monolithic integrated circuit as defined in claim 10 wherein the frequency of the optical signal is adjustable in dependence upon the magnitude of a controlling parameter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A monolithic integrated waveguide as defined in claim 11 including a first terminal for controlling gain of the optical signal and a second terminal for controlling the frequency of the optical signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
92 words
A spatially addressable coherent detection system comprising: controllable coherent light injection means for generating a coherent signal, the frequency of the coherent signal being adjustable in dependence upon the magnitude of a controlling parameter; and, non-linear waveguide means for generating an output optical signal in response to an other optical signal and to the coherent signal contra-propagating and mixing within the waveguide, the direction of the output optical signal being dependent upon the frequency difference between the coherent signal and the other optical signal; and, means for detecting the output optical signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
92 words
A spatially addressable coherent detection system comprising: controllable coherent light injection means for generating a coherent signal, the frequency of the coherent signal being adjustable in dependence upon the magnitude of a controlling parameter; and, non-linear waveguide means for generating an output optical signal in response to an other optical signal and to the coherent signal contra-propagating and mixing within the waveguide, the direction of the output optical signal being dependent upon the frequency difference between the coherent signal and the other optical signal; and, means for detecting the output optical signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as defined in claim 15 wherein the controllable light injection means is integrated into a monolithic integrated circuit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined in claim 16 wherein the means for detecting the optical signal comprises an array of n detectors, where n is a predetermined number.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as defined in claim 16 wherein the means for detecting the optical signal is integrated into the monolithic circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a non-linear waveguide having an integrated tunable laser for generating a coherent light signal, a method of propagating an optical signal in a plurality of directions in space comprising the steps of: a) directing an other contra-propagating optical signal into a non-linear waveguide means for generating an output optical signal, the direction of the output optical signal being determined by the frequency difference between the coherent light-signal and the other optical signal; and, b) varying the frequency coherent light-signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a non-linear waveguide having an integrated tunable laser for generating a coherent light signal, a method of propagating an optical signal in a plurality of directions in space comprising the steps of: a) directing an other contra-propagating optical signal into a non-linear waveguide means for generating an output optical signal, the direction of the output optical signal being determined by the frequency difference between the coherent light-signal and the other optical signal; and, b) varying the frequency coherent light-signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
A spacially addressable coherent detection system as defined in claim 16 further comprising a holographic medium for reflecting the output signal from the non linear waveguide means encoded with information stored on the holographic medium to the means for detecting the output signal.
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) | 1997-09-05 | 1998-03-07 | 1998-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-05 | 2002-03-07 | 2002-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-05 | 2006-03-07 | 2006-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |