US5485480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic lasers and amplifiers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-03-25
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Granted: 1996-01-16
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Expires: 2014-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optical source of stimulated optical radiation comprises an optical fiber which includes a core doped with laser material having optical gain in two wavelength regions, the fiber additionally including a material in optical communication with said laser material in such a manner as to absorb radiation emitted from said laser material within one of said wavelength regions.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcos Y. Kleinerman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/353; G01D5/35338; G01D5/35354; G01D5/35358; G01D5/3537; G01D5/3538; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/08; G01J5/0818; G01J5/0821; G01J5/0896; G01J5/52; G01J5/60; G01J5/602; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/32; G01K11/3206; G01K11/3213; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/24; G01L1/242; G01L1/243; G06F3/042; G06F3/0421; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; G01J5/0022; G01J5/0025; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/041; G06F2203/04109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
An arrangement for selectively generating laser radiation within a defined spectral band, comprising (a) an optical fiber having a core with an index of refraction n 1 , a radius not greater than a few micrometers, and doped along its length with laser material so characterized that, when excited with optical radiation of wavelengths λ s within an absorption band characteristic of said material, it emits luminescence radiation within at least two spectral bands, the first of said bands including wavelengths λ f1 and the second of said bands being said defined spectral band and including wavelengths λ f2 different from λ f1 , the material being further characterized by emitting laser radiation within said first band including wavelengths λ f1 when pumped with sufficiently high intensities of said radiation of wavelengths λ s in a suitable configuration, the material being additionally characterized by emitting laser radiation within said second band including said wavelengths λ f2 when pumped with sufficiently high intensities of said radiation of wavelengths λ s in a suitable configuration, the fiber having a first end and a second end; and (b) a second material characterized by absorbing light of said wavelengths λ f1 , said second material being in optical communication with said laser material in such a manner as to absorb radiation emitted from said laser material within said first band of wavelengths λ f1 along the fiber length and thus selectively prevent laser action at these wavelengths without preventing laser action at said defined spectral band including wavelengths λ f2 .
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
An arrangement for selectively generating laser radiation within a defined spectral band, comprising (a) an optical fiber having a core with an index of refraction n 1 , a radius not greater than a few micrometers, and doped along its length with laser material so characterized that, when excited with optical radiation of wavelengths λ s within an absorption band characteristic of said material, it emits luminescence radiation within at least two spectral bands, the first of said bands including wavelengths λ f1 and the second of said bands being said defined spectral band and including wavelengths λ f2 different from λ f1 , the material being further characterized by emitting laser radiation within said first band including wavelengths λ f1 when pumped with sufficiently high intensities of said radiation of wavelengths λ s in a suitable configuration, the material being additionally characterized by emitting laser radiation within said second band including said wavelengths λ f2 when pumped with sufficiently high intensities of said radiation of wavelengths λ s in a suitable configuration, the fiber having a first end and a second end; and (b) a second material characterized by absorbing light of said wavelengths λ f1 , said second material being in optical communication with said laser material in such a manner as to absorb radiation emitted from said laser material within said first band of wavelengths λ f1 along the fiber length and thus selectively prevent laser action at these wavelengths without preventing laser action at said defined spectral band including wavelengths λ f2 .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said laser material includes trivalent neodymium ions (Nd 3+ ) incorporated within the core of said fiber, and said second material includes trivalent samarium ions (Sm 3+ ) in a first cladding continuous to and in contact with said core.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first cladding in contact with said core has an index of refraction n 2 lower than n 1 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein said core and said first cladding are disposed within a second cladding having a cross-sectional area which, taken transverse to the fiber axis, has a first path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof whose length is substantially different from the length of a second path across said area which passes substantially through the geometric center thereof, said second path being substantially perpendicular to said first path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 and additionally including a source of laser pump radiation of said wavelengths λ s launched into the first end of the fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 4 and additionally including a source of laser pump radiation of said wavelengths λ s launched into the first end of the fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A source of stimulated optical radiation of wavelengths within the band of luminescence wavelengths of trivalent neodymium ions including wavelengths λ f2 near 940 nanometers, comprising the arrangement claimed in claim 5 wherein said source of laser pump radiation of said wavelengths λ s is sufficiently intense to generate a population inversion of said trivalent neodymium ions and light amplification of said wavelengths λ f2 along the length of said fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
A source of stimulated optical radiation of wavelengths within the band of luminescence wavelengths of trivalent neodymium ions including wavelengths λ f2 near 940 nanometers, comprising the arrangement claimed in claim 6 wherein said source of laser pump radiation of said wavelengths λ s is sufficiently intense to generate a population inversion of said trivalent eodymium ions and light amplification of said wavelengths λ f2 along the length of said fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A source of stimulated optical radiation as claimed in claim 8 wherein said source of laser pump radiation of said wavelengths λ s is a semiconductor laser diode array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein said laser material is co-doped with trivalent ytterbium ions (Yb 3+ ).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
An arrangement for pumping an erbium-doped fiber laser or amplifier, comprising a source of stimulated optical radiation as claimed in claim 7 and a second fiber having a first end and a second end, the first end being optically connected to the second end (the output end) of the fiber of claim 7, said second fiber including a core doped with trivalent ytterbium ions (Yb 3+ ).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
An arrangement for pumping an erbium-doped fiber laser or amplifier, comprising a source of stimulated optical radiation as claimed in claim 8 and a second fiber having a first end and a second end, the first end being optically connected to the second end (the output end) of the fiber of claim 8, said second fiber including a core doped with trivalent ytterbium ions (Yb 3+ ).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-15 | 1999-07-17 | 2000-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-15 | 2003-07-17 | 2004-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-15 | 2007-07-17 | 2008-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |