US5633885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Frequency chirp control and compensation for obtaining broad bandwidth ultrashort optical pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers
Assignee: IMRA America Inc
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Filing: 1994-09-29
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Granted: 1997-05-27
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Expires: 2014-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of, and apparatus for controlling and compensating for high order frequency chirp in a fast tuned laser. Optical means in the form of chirped Bragg gratings, preferrably in-fiber gratings, are used to compensate for one or more orders of the frequency chirp. Alternatively, or in combination with the optical compensation, an electrical compensation scheme employs integrators in one or more parallel compensation channels to create a composite compensation signal to compensate for specific order nonlinearities. The present invention allows for the generation of shorter bandwidth-limited optical pulses with spectra containing the complete tuning range of the tunable laser.
Inventors
- 👤 Almantas Galvanauskas
- 👤 Donald J. Harter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/06; H01S5/062; H01S5/0625; H01S3/00; H01S3/005; H01S3/0057; H01S5/005; H01S5/0057; H01S5/04; H01S5/042; H01S5/0428; H01S5/06255; H01S5/06256; H01S5/10; H01S5/12; H01S5/1206; H01S5/1212
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength tunable-laser for generating frequency chirped pulses; optical means arranged in an optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser, including means for compensating at least one order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength tunable-laser for generating frequency chirped pulses; optical means arranged in an optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser, including means for compensating at least one order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical means includes a plurality of chirped Bragg gratings arranged in series, each of said gratings compensating at least one order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical means includes at least one in-fiber chirped Bragg grating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a plurality of said in-fiber chirped Bragg gratings are arranged in series.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said optical means includes a plurality of said in-fiber chirped Bragg gratings overlapped within said fiber, each of said gratings compensating a different order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical means is arranged within the cavity of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical means is arranged externally of the cavity of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising electrical means for compensating at least one other order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said electrical means comprises a pulse signal source, splitting means for dividing said pulse signal, a plurality of compensation channels, connected in series to said splitting means and in parallel to each other, each for creating a specific order effect on said signal, means for combining the outputs of said compensation channels, and means for applying said combined output to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said compensating means comprises a chirped Bragg grating having a chirp profile.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength-tunable laser for generating frequency chirped optical pulses; electrical means for compensating at least one order of said frequency chirp time-dispersion, said electrical means comprising a source of pulse signals, at least one compensating channel including means for creating a specific order effect on said signal, and means for applying an output of said at least one compensation channel to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength-tunable laser for generating frequency chirped optical pulses; electrical means for compensating at least one order of said frequency chirp time-dispersion, said electrical means comprising a source of pulse signals, at least one compensating channel including means for creating a specific order effect on said signal, and means for applying an output of said at least one compensation channel to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp to obtain broad bandwidths ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength-tunable laser for generating frequency chirped pulses; electrical means for compensating at least one order of said frequency chirp, said electrical means comprising a source of pulse signals, splitting means for dividing said pulse signals, a plurality of compensation channels, connected in series to said splitting means and in parallel to each other, each for creating a specific order effect on said signal, means for combining the outputs of said compensation channels, and means for applying said combined output to a dividing input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp to obtain broad bandwidths ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength-tunable laser for generating frequency chirped pulses; electrical means for compensating at least one order of said frequency chirp, said electrical means comprising a source of pulse signals, splitting means for dividing said pulse signals, a plurality of compensation channels, connected in series to said splitting means and in parallel to each other, each for creating a specific order effect on said signal, means for combining the outputs of said compensation channels, and means for applying said combined output to a dividing input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said compensation channels each comprise integration means for integrating said pulse signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein a first of said compensation channels includes an integrator for creating a linear or first order effect on said pulse signal, and wherein successive ones of said compensation channels include series connected integrators in a number corresponding to the order of the frequency chirp to be compensated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of said integration means comprises a coaxial transmission line, electrically connected in parallel to a capacitor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further including optical means arranged in an optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser, including at least one chirped Bragg grating having a chirp profile designed so as to compensate at least one order of frequency chirp.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said optical means comprises at least one nonlinear chirped Bragg grating.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said optical means comprises at least a linearly chirped Bragg grating.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of compensating frequency chirp to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers, comprising the steps of: generating a pulse signal; simultaneously applying said signal to a plurality of compensation channels; creating a specific order effect on said signal in each of said channels; combining the outputs of said compensation channels to create an aggregate nonlinear compensation signal; and applying said compensation signal to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of compensating frequency chirp to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers, comprising the steps of: generating a pulse signal; simultaneously applying said signal to a plurality of compensation channels; creating a specific order effect on said signal in each of said channels; combining the outputs of said compensation channels to create an aggregate nonlinear compensation signal; and applying said compensation signal to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising the steps of: creating an optical path with a wavelength-tunable laser, arranging an optical means in said optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser, including at least one chirped Bragg grating having a chirp profile to compensate at lest one order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising the steps of: creating an optical path with a wavelength-tunable laser, arranging an optical means in said optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser, including at least one chirped Bragg grating having a chirp profile to compensate at lest one order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers, comprising the steps of: generating a pulse signal; supplying at least one compensation channel including means for creating a specific order effect on said signal; and applying an output of said at least one compensation channel to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers, comprising the steps of: generating a pulse signal; supplying at least one compensation channel including means for creating a specific order effect on said signal; and applying an output of said at least one compensation channel to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of compensating frequency chirp to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers, comprising: providing a source of pulse signals; splitting said pulse signals into a plurality of compensation channels arranged in parallel to each other; creating a specific order effect on said pulse signals in each of said compensation channels; combining the outputs of said compensation channels; and applying said combined output to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of compensating frequency chirp to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers, comprising: providing a source of pulse signals; splitting said pulse signals into a plurality of compensation channels arranged in parallel to each other; creating a specific order effect on said pulse signals in each of said compensation channels; combining the outputs of said compensation channels; and applying said combined output to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed claim 22, wherein said specific order effect is created by integrating said signal at least once in at least one of said compensation channels.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of compensating frequency chirp to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers, comprising the steps of: arranging an optical means in an optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser, including at least one chirped Bragg grating having a chirp profile designed so as to compensate at least one order of frequency chirp time-dispersion; and providing electrical means for compensating at least one other order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of compensating frequency chirp to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers, comprising the steps of: arranging an optical means in an optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser, including at least one chirped Bragg grating having a chirp profile designed so as to compensate at least one order of frequency chirp time-dispersion; and providing electrical means for compensating at least one other order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said electrical means generates a pulse signal, splits said pulse signal into compensation channels provided in correspondence with the number of orders of frequency chirp to be compensated by said electrical means, creates a specific order effect on said signal in each of said compensation channels, combines the outputs of said compensation channels, and applies said combined output to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers, comprising: optical means arranged in an optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser, including at least one chirped Bragg grating having a chirp profile designed so as to compensate at least one order of frequency chirp; and electrical means for generating a compensation signal for application to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser for compensating at least one other order of frequency chirp.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses from wavelength-tunable lasers, comprising: optical means arranged in an optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser, including at least one chirped Bragg grating having a chirp profile designed so as to compensate at least one order of frequency chirp; and electrical means for generating a compensation signal for application to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser for compensating at least one other order of frequency chirp.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength-tunable laser for generating frequency chirped pulses having a spectrum and represented by at least one term; an optical means arranged in an optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser for compensating said term of said optical pulses, including at least one chirped Bragg grating having a reflection spectrum overlapping with said spectrum of said optical pulses and also having a chirp profile to compensate at least one order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength-tunable laser for generating frequency chirped pulses having a spectrum and represented by at least one term; an optical means arranged in an optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser for compensating said term of said optical pulses, including at least one chirped Bragg grating having a reflection spectrum overlapping with said spectrum of said optical pulses and also having a chirp profile to compensate at least one order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 27, further comprising electrical means for creating and applying to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser an electric waveform for compensating at least one other order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus claimed in claim 28, wherein said electrical means comprises: a pulse signal source for generating an electrical pulse signal having at least one term, splitting means for dividing said electrical pulse signal into a plurality of compensation channels connected in series to said splitting means and in parallel to each other, each for creating a specific order of correction on said term of said electrical signal, means for combining the outputs of said compensation channels, and means for applying said combined output to said dividing input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
94 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength-tunable laser for generating frequency chirped optical pulses; electrical means for compensating at least one order of said frequency chirp time-dispersion, said electrical means comprising a source of an electrical pulse signal having at least one term, at least one compensation channel including means for creating a specific order of correction on said term of said electrical signal, and means for applying an output of said at least one compensation channel to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
94 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength-tunable laser for generating frequency chirped optical pulses; electrical means for compensating at least one order of said frequency chirp time-dispersion, said electrical means comprising a source of an electrical pulse signal having at least one term, at least one compensation channel including means for creating a specific order of correction on said term of said electrical signal, and means for applying an output of said at least one compensation channel to a driving input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength-tunable laser for generating frequency chirped pulses; electrical means for compensating at least one order of said frequency chirp time-dispersion, said electrical means comprising a source of an electrical pulse signal having at least one term, splitting means for dividing said electrical pulse signal into a plurality of compensation channels connected in series to said splitting means and in parallel to each other, each for creating a specific order of correction on said term of said electrical signal, means for combining the outputs of said compensation channels, and means for applying said combined output to a dividing input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for compensating frequency chirp time-dispersion to obtain broad bandwidth ultrashort pulses, comprising: a wavelength-tunable laser for generating frequency chirped pulses; electrical means for compensating at least one order of said frequency chirp time-dispersion, said electrical means comprising a source of an electrical pulse signal having at least one term, splitting means for dividing said electrical pulse signal into a plurality of compensation channels connected in series to said splitting means and in parallel to each other, each for creating a specific order of correction on said term of said electrical signal, means for combining the outputs of said compensation channels, and means for applying said combined output to a dividing input of said wavelength-tunable laser.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 31, further including optical means arranged in an optical path of said wavelength-tunable laser, including at least one chirped Bragg grating having a reflection spectrum overlapping with said spectrum of optical pulses and also having a chirp profile to compensate at least one order of frequency chirp time-dispersion.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-26 | 2000-11-25 | 2001-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-11-25 | 2005-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-26 | 2008-11-25 | 2009-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |