US5594744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity
Assignee: Yenista Optics SA
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Filing: 1995-05-01
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2015-05-01
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having an output face that is partially reflecting (331) and a retroreflecting dispersive device (31, 39), defining a main collimating axis (351) and a secondary collimating axis (381), an amplifier wave guide (33) placed in position inside the resonant cavity. The retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating (31) having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral (39) whose line of intersection (391)is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes (351, 352).
Inventors
- 👤 Herve Lefevre
- 👤 Philippe Martin
- 👤 Bernard Laloux
- 👤 Philippe Graindorge
- 👤 Laurent Disdier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/10; H01S5/14; H01S5/141; H01S5/143; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/0811; H01S3/0812; H01S3/10; H01S3/105; H01S3/1055; H01S5/02; H01S5/022; H01S5/023; H01S5/02325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having a partially reflecting output face and a retroreflecting dispersive device, defining a main collimating axis and a secondary collimating axis; an amplifier wave guide placed in position inside the resonant cavity, wherein the retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral whole line of intersection is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes, wherein the amplifier medium is a doped optical fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having a partially reflecting output face and a retroreflecting dispersive device, defining a main collimating axis and a secondary collimating axis; an amplifier wave guide placed in position inside the resonant cavity, wherein the retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral whole line of intersection is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes, wherein the amplifier medium is a doped optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
204 words
Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having a partially reflecting output face and a retroreflecting dispersive device, defining a main collimating axis and a secondary collimating axis; an amplifier wave guide placed in position inside the resonant cavity, wherein the retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral whose line of intersection is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes, wherein point A is the point of intersection of the collimating axes and the diffraction grating, point B' is the optical end of the cavity centered on the secondary collimating axis and is located on the side of the dispersive system, point C' is the intersection of the main collimating axis with the optical end of the cavity located on the side of the amplifier medium, point D is the intersection of the plane containing the diffracting face of the diffraction grating with the parallel to the line of intersection of the dihedral passing via B', angle AC'D is maintained equal to 90°, and wherein length AD is maintained constant, in such a way as to produce a continuously tunable source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
204 words
Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having a partially reflecting output face and a retroreflecting dispersive device, defining a main collimating axis and a secondary collimating axis; an amplifier wave guide placed in position inside the resonant cavity, wherein the retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral whose line of intersection is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes, wherein point A is the point of intersection of the collimating axes and the diffraction grating, point B' is the optical end of the cavity centered on the secondary collimating axis and is located on the side of the dispersive system, point C' is the intersection of the main collimating axis with the optical end of the cavity located on the side of the amplifier medium, point D is the intersection of the plane containing the diffracting face of the diffraction grating with the parallel to the line of intersection of the dihedral passing via B', angle AC'D is maintained equal to 90°, and wherein length AD is maintained constant, in such a way as to produce a continuously tunable source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having a partially reflecting output face and a retroreflecting dispersive device, defining a main collimating axis and a secondary collimating axis; an amplifier wave guide placed in position inside the resonant cavity, wherein the retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral whose line of intersection is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes, and wherein the movements of the diffraction grating and of the dihedral are connected in such a way that they are mobile together and fixed with respect to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having a partially reflecting output face and a retroreflecting dispersive device, defining a main collimating axis and a secondary collimating axis; an amplifier wave guide placed in position inside the resonant cavity, wherein the retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral whose line of intersection is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes, and wherein the movements of the diffraction grating and of the dihedral are connected in such a way that they are mobile together and fixed with respect to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
The continuously tunable singlemode laser source of claim 3 wherein the diffraction grating and the dihedral are supported by a plate which can move in rotation about an axis of rotation passing via the point A, said plate being integral with an axis arm, said arm having a bearing point on a plane fixed in translation with respect to a frame, the axis of rotation being supported by a mobile element which can move in translation parallel to the axis of the collimated beam, with respect to the frame, the continuous tunability of the source being obtained by the displacement of the mobile element and the maintaining of the bearing point on the plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The continuously tunable singlemode laser source of claim 4 wherein a return spring, fixed at one of its ends to an arm of the plate and at the other of its ends to the frame, keeps the bearing point pressed against the plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having a partially reflecting output face and a retroreflecting dispersive device, defining a main collimating axis and a secondary collimating axis; an amplifier wave guide placed in position inside the resonant cavity, wherein the retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral whose line of intersection is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes, and wherein the diffraction grating is fixed and the dihedral mobile.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having a partially reflecting output face and a retroreflecting dispersive device, defining a main collimating axis and a secondary collimating axis; an amplifier wave guide placed in position inside the resonant cavity, wherein the retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral whose line of intersection is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes, and wherein the diffraction grating is fixed and the dihedral mobile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The continuously tunable singlemode laser source of claim 6 wherein the dihedral is supported by a support which can move about an axis perpendicular to the dispersion plane and passing via the point D.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The continuously tunable singlemode laser source of claim 7 wherein the diffraction grating is supported by a frame, and a motor integral with said frame and activating a push-rod connected to the support, controls the orientation of the dihedral.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
92 words
Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having a partially reflecting output face and a retroreflecting dispersive device, defining a main collimating axis and a secondary collimating axis; an amplifier wave guide placed in position inside the resonant cavity, wherein the retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral whose line of intersection is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes, and wherein the amplifier medium is a laser diode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
Singlemode laser source tunable in wavelength with a self-aligned external cavity, comprising: a resonant cavity having a partially reflecting output face and a retroreflecting dispersive device, defining a main collimating axis and a secondary collimating axis; an amplifier wave guide placed in position inside the resonant cavity, wherein the retroreflecting dispersive device comprises a plane diffraction grating having dispersion planes and an orthogonal reflecting dihedral whose line of intersection is parallel to the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating containing the collimating axes, and wherein the amplifier medium is a laser diode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The tunable singlemode laser source of claim 9 wherein one of the faces of the laser diode is only slightly reflecting and constitutes the output face to the external cavity.
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) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |