US5521931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nonmonolithic arrays of accurately positioned diode lasers
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1993-11-22
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Granted: 1996-05-28
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Expires: 2013-11-22
Abstract
Abstract Nonmonolithic laser arrays having a plurality of lasing elements mounted on one or more spacers which protrude from a thermally conductive support. The spacers ensure the accurate location and separation of the lasing elements, facilitate the orientation of the output laser beams, and enable low thermal, optical, and electrical cross-talk between the lasing elements.
Inventors
- 👤 David K. Biegelsen
- 👤 Ross D. Bringans
- 👤 R. Donald Yinling, deceased
- 👤 Thomas L. Paoli
- 👤 Eva E. Taggart
- 👤 William J. Mosby
- 👤 Gregory J. Kovacs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/40; H01S5/4025; H01S5/4031; H01S5/02; H01S5/022; H01S5/023; H01S5/02325; H01S5/02326; H01S5/0235; H01S5/02355; H01S5/0237; H01S5/024; H01S5/02469; H01S5/4018; H01S5/4043; H01S5/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A linear laser array, comprising: a thermally conductive base; at least two thermally conducting and electrically insulating supports in thermal contact with said base; at least two pairs of lasing elements, each lasing element having first and second surfaces in electrical contact with a lasing region, and each pair of lasing elements comprised of two lasing elements disposed on opposing sides of one of said insulating supports such that said first surfaces are near said insulating supports; at least four electrical contacts, each one of said contacts in electrical communication with a first surface of a single, associated lasing element, said electrical contacts disposed between its associated lasing element and one of said insulating supports; a thermally and electrically conducting support disposed between pairs of lasing elements such that said conducting support is in electrical communication with a second surface of a lasing element from each pair of lasing elements; and two thermally and electrically conducting end supports, each end support individually connected to said second surface of different ones of said lasing elements which are at the end of said array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A linear laser array, comprising: a thermally conductive base; at least two thermally conducting and electrically insulating supports in thermal contact with said base; at least two pairs of lasing elements, each lasing element having first and second surfaces in electrical contact with a lasing region, and each pair of lasing elements comprised of two lasing elements disposed on opposing sides of one of said insulating supports such that said first surfaces are near said insulating supports; at least four electrical contacts, each one of said contacts in electrical communication with a first surface of a single, associated lasing element, said electrical contacts disposed between its associated lasing element and one of said insulating supports; a thermally and electrically conducting support disposed between pairs of lasing elements such that said conducting support is in electrical communication with a second surface of a lasing element from each pair of lasing elements; and two thermally and electrically conducting end supports, each end support individually connected to said second surface of different ones of said lasing elements which are at the end of said array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
174 words
A linear laser array, comprising: a thermally conductive base; at least two thermally conductive grounded supports in thermal contact with said base; at least two pairs of lasing elements, each lasing element having first and second surfaces in electrical contact with a lasing region, and each pair of lasing elements comprised of two lasing elements whose first surfaces are disposed on opposing sides of one of said thermally conductive grounded supports such that said second surfaces are adjacent said thermally conductive insulating supports; at least four electrical contacts, each one of said contacts in electrical communication with a second surface of a single lasing element; a thermally conducting and electrically insulating support disposed between pairs of lasing elements such that said insulating support is adjacent to two electrical contacts, one from each of said at least two pairs of lasing elements; and two thermally conducting and electrically insulating end supports, each end support individually adjacent to said second surface of different ones of said lasing elements which are at the end of said array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
174 words
A linear laser array, comprising: a thermally conductive base; at least two thermally conductive grounded supports in thermal contact with said base; at least two pairs of lasing elements, each lasing element having first and second surfaces in electrical contact with a lasing region, and each pair of lasing elements comprised of two lasing elements whose first surfaces are disposed on opposing sides of one of said thermally conductive grounded supports such that said second surfaces are adjacent said thermally conductive insulating supports; at least four electrical contacts, each one of said contacts in electrical communication with a second surface of a single lasing element; a thermally conducting and electrically insulating support disposed between pairs of lasing elements such that said insulating support is adjacent to two electrical contacts, one from each of said at least two pairs of lasing elements; and two thermally conducting and electrically insulating end supports, each end support individually adjacent to said second surface of different ones of said lasing elements which are at the end of said array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive support having a spacer with a plurality of defined support surfaces; a plurality of lasing elements, each of said lasing elements mounted adjacent to, and in thermal contact with, an individual one of said support surfaces; and an electrically insulating film disposed between at least one of said lasing elements and support surface; wherein dimensions of said spacer and said insulating film controls the spacing between two of said lasing elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive support having a spacer with a plurality of defined support surfaces; a plurality of lasing elements, each of said lasing elements mounted adjacent to, and in thermal contact with, an individual one of said support surfaces; and an electrically insulating film disposed between at least one of said lasing elements and support surface; wherein dimensions of said spacer and said insulating film controls the spacing between two of said lasing elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive T shaped support with defined support surfaces; and a plurality of lasing elements mounted adjacent to, and in thermal contact with, said support surfaces; wherein said T shaped support includes a relief for reducing interference between said T shaped support and a corner of at least one of said lasing elements; and wherein a dimension of said T shaped support controls the spacing between at least two of said lasing elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive T shaped support with defined support surfaces; and a plurality of lasing elements mounted adjacent to, and in thermal contact with, said support surfaces; wherein said T shaped support includes a relief for reducing interference between said T shaped support and a corner of at least one of said lasing elements; and wherein a dimension of said T shaped support controls the spacing between at least two of said lasing elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laser array according to claim 4 wherein said T shaped support is electrically conducting.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The laser array according to claim 5, further including an electrically insulating film between at least one of said lasing elements and a support surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laser array according to claim 4, further including an electrically conductive layer over at least one of said support surfaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The laser array according to claim 7, further including an electrically insulating film between at least one of said lasing elements and a support surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive cross-shaped support having a spacer with defined support surfaces; and a plurality of lasing elements mounted on, and in thermal contact with, said cross-shaped support surfaces; wherein a dimension of said spacer controls the spacing of said lasing elements, and said cross-shaped support includes a relief for reducing interference between said cross-shaped support and a corner of one of said lasing elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive cross-shaped support having a spacer with defined support surfaces; and a plurality of lasing elements mounted on, and in thermal contact with, said cross-shaped support surfaces; wherein a dimension of said spacer controls the spacing of said lasing elements, and said cross-shaped support includes a relief for reducing interference between said cross-shaped support and a corner of one of said lasing elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laser array according to claim 9, wherein said cross-shaped support is electrically conducting.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laser array according to claim 9, further including an electrically conductive layer over at least one of said support surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive cross-shaped support having a spacer with defined support surfaces; a plurality of lasing elements mounted on, and in thermal contact with, said cross-shaped support surfaces; and an electrically insulating film between at least one of said lasing elements and a surface of said cross-shaped support; wherein a dimension of said spacer controls the spacing of said lasing elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive cross-shaped support having a spacer with defined support surfaces; a plurality of lasing elements mounted on, and in thermal contact with, said cross-shaped support surfaces; and an electrically insulating film between at least one of said lasing elements and a surface of said cross-shaped support; wherein a dimension of said spacer controls the spacing of said lasing elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
73 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive cross-shaped support having a spacer with defined support surfaces; and a plurality of lasing elements mounted on, and in thermal contact with, said cross-shaped support surfaces; wherein a dimension of said spacer controls the spacing of said lasing elements, said cross-shaped support is electrically conducting, and said support includes a relief for reducing interference between said support and a corner of one of said lasing elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
73 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive cross-shaped support having a spacer with defined support surfaces; and a plurality of lasing elements mounted on, and in thermal contact with, said cross-shaped support surfaces; wherein a dimension of said spacer controls the spacing of said lasing elements, said cross-shaped support is electrically conducting, and said support includes a relief for reducing interference between said support and a corner of one of said lasing elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The laser array according to claim 13, further including an electrically insulating film between at least one of said lasing elements and a support surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive cross-shaped support having a spacer with defined support surfaces; a plurality of lasing elements mounted on, and in thermal contact with, said cross-shaped support surfaces; an electrically conductive layer over at least one of said support surfaces; and an electrically insulating film between at least one of said support surfaces; wherein a dimension of said spacer controls the spacing of said lasing elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
A laser array comprising: a thermally conductive cross-shaped support having a spacer with defined support surfaces; a plurality of lasing elements mounted on, and in thermal contact with, said cross-shaped support surfaces; an electrically conductive layer over at least one of said support surfaces; and an electrically insulating film between at least one of said support surfaces; wherein a dimension of said spacer controls the spacing of said lasing elements.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
125 words
A laser array, comprising: a thermally conductive support having a spacer with defined support surfaces; and a plurality of lasing elements soldered to said support surfaces; wherein the width of said spacer controls the spacing of said lasing elements, and at least one of said lasing elements is soldered to said support surfaces by: immersing indium pellets used in a solvent; depositing solvent immersed indium onto at least one of said support surfaces using thermal evaporation; bringing the lasing elements into close proximity with the indium solder deposited on said at least one support surface; raising the temperature of said at least one support surface above the melting temperature of the deposited indium; and pressing a lasing element onto said at least one support surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
125 words
A laser array, comprising: a thermally conductive support having a spacer with defined support surfaces; and a plurality of lasing elements soldered to said support surfaces; wherein the width of said spacer controls the spacing of said lasing elements, and at least one of said lasing elements is soldered to said support surfaces by: immersing indium pellets used in a solvent; depositing solvent immersed indium onto at least one of said support surfaces using thermal evaporation; bringing the lasing elements into close proximity with the indium solder deposited on said at least one support surface; raising the temperature of said at least one support surface above the melting temperature of the deposited indium; and pressing a lasing element onto said at least one support surface.
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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) | 1999-05-28 | 1999-11-27 | 2000-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-28 | 2003-11-27 | 2004-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-28 | 2007-11-27 | 2008-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |