US5367527A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Phase-conjugate-coupled multimode optical fiber geometry for optical coupling of lasers
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1993-08-13
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Granted: 1994-11-22
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Expires: 2013-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for establishing an optical link between two lasers via an optical fiber by directing the output from one laser through an optical fiber and into a second laser and vice vera. Before insertion into the lasers, the output from the respective fibers is phase conjugated in a double phase conjugate mirror. Thus, the disclosed method and apparatus provide a combination of fiber optics, used to transport the light from the lasers, and optical phase conjugation, used to compensate for fiber-induced distortions.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark T. Gruneisen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/23; H01S3/2383; H01S3/10; H01S3/10076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for phase locking first and second lasers in which coupling beams propagate in first and second waveguides comprising the steps of: (a) injecting at least a portion of the output of said first laser into the first of said waveguides; (b) injecting at least a portion of the output of said second laser into the second of said waveguides; (c) after propagation through said waveguides, double phase conjugating each of said outputs from said first and second lasers; (d) injecting the double phase conjugated output of said first laser into said second laser; and (e) injecting the double phase conjugated output of said second laser into said first laser.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for phase locking first and second lasers in which coupling beams propagate in first and second waveguides comprising the steps of: (a) injecting at least a portion of the output of said first laser into the first of said waveguides; (b) injecting at least a portion of the output of said second laser into the second of said waveguides; (c) after propagation through said waveguides, double phase conjugating each of said outputs from said first and second lasers; (d) injecting the double phase conjugated output of said first laser into said second laser; and (e) injecting the double phase conjugated output of said second laser into said first laser.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said outputs from said first and second lasers are double phase conjugated by applying said outputs into a photorefractive crystal oriented to form a double phase-conjugate mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said first and second waveguides are multimode step-index optical fibers.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for phase locking first and second lasers in which coupling beams propagate through at least one waveguide comprising the steps of: (a) injecting at least a portion of the output of said first laser into said waveguide; (b) injecting at least a portion of the output of said second laser into said waveguide; (c) after propagation through said waveguide, double phase conjugating each of said outputs from said first and second lasers; (d) injecting the double phase conjugated output of said first laser into said second laser; and (e) injecting the double phase conjugated output of said second laser into said first laser.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for phase locking first and second lasers in which coupling beams propagate through at least one waveguide comprising the steps of: (a) injecting at least a portion of the output of said first laser into said waveguide; (b) injecting at least a portion of the output of said second laser into said waveguide; (c) after propagation through said waveguide, double phase conjugating each of said outputs from said first and second lasers; (d) injecting the double phase conjugated output of said first laser into said second laser; and (e) injecting the double phase conjugated output of said second laser into said first laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said outputs from said first and second lasers are double phase conjugated by applying said outputs into a photorefractive crystal oriented to form a double phase-conjugate mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said waveguide comprises one multimode step-index optical fiber.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for phase locking first and second lasers comprising: first and second multimode step-index optical fibers; means for injecting at least a portion of the output of said first laser into the first of said multimode step-index optical fibers; (b) means for injecting at least a portion of the output of said second laser into the second of said multimode step-index optical fibers; (c) means for double phase conjugating each of said outputs from said first and second lasers after propagation through said multimode step-index optical fibers; (d) means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said first laser into said second laser; and (e) means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said second laser into said first laser.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for phase locking first and second lasers comprising: first and second multimode step-index optical fibers; means for injecting at least a portion of the output of said first laser into the first of said multimode step-index optical fibers; (b) means for injecting at least a portion of the output of said second laser into the second of said multimode step-index optical fibers; (c) means for double phase conjugating each of said outputs from said first and second lasers after propagation through said multimode step-index optical fibers; (d) means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said first laser into said second laser; and (e) means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said second laser into said first laser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 7, wherein said outputs from said first and second lasers are double phase conjugated by applying said outputs into a photorefractive crystal oriented to form a double phase-conjugate mirror.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for phase locking first and second lasers, comprising: at least one waveguide; (b) means for injecting at least a portion of the output of said second laser into said waveguide; (c) means, after propagation through said waveguide, for double phase conjugating each of said outputs from said first and second lasers; (d) means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said first laser into said second laser; and (e) means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said second laser into said first laser.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for phase locking first and second lasers, comprising: at least one waveguide; (b) means for injecting at least a portion of the output of said second laser into said waveguide; (c) means, after propagation through said waveguide, for double phase conjugating each of said outputs from said first and second lasers; (d) means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said first laser into said second laser; and (e) means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said second laser into said first laser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said waveguide is a multimode step-index optical fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 10, and a photorefractive crystal oriented, and wherein said outputs from said first and second lasers are double phase conjugated by applying said outputs into said photorefractive crystal, said photorefractive crystal being oriented to form a double phase-conjugate mirror.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for phase locking first and second lasers having a light output, comprising: first and second multimode fibers; means for propagating the light output of said first laser through said first multimode fiber; means for propagating the light output of said second laser through said second multimode fiber; a double phase conjugate mirror, the outputs from said first and second multimode fibers being applied to said double phase conjugate mirror; means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said first laser into said second laser; and means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said second laser into said first laser.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for phase locking first and second lasers having a light output, comprising: first and second multimode fibers; means for propagating the light output of said first laser through said first multimode fiber; means for propagating the light output of said second laser through said second multimode fiber; a double phase conjugate mirror, the outputs from said first and second multimode fibers being applied to said double phase conjugate mirror; means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said first laser into said second laser; and means for injecting the double phase conjugated output of said second laser into said first laser.
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) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |