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US5691999A
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Compression-tuned fiber laser
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1994-09-30
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Granted: 1997-11-25
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Expires: 2014-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A fiber laser 26 including a rare-earth doped fiber laser cavity 32 delimited by a pair of reflective elements 28,30, such as Bragg gratings, is tuned by compressing the cavity 32 and the gratings 28,30. Because an optical fiber is a much stronger under compression than in tension, the laser 26 is tunable over a much broader range than conventional tension/stretching techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary A. Ball
- 👤 William W. Morey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/067; H01S3/0675; H01S3/10; H01S3/105; H01S3/1055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A tunable laser, comprising: a laser cavity comprising a solid optical waveguide; said waveguide being doped with a rare-earth dopant which provides a gain medium within said laser cavity; a pair of reflective elements delimiting said laser cavity; the length of said laser cavity, the gain of said gain medium, and the reflectivity of said reflective elements being so as to cause lasing to occur at a predetermined lasing wavelength; said reflective elements reflecting incident light at said lasing wavelength; and compression means for compressing said solid optical waveguide so as to change said lasing wavelength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A tunable laser, comprising: a laser cavity comprising a solid optical waveguide; said waveguide being doped with a rare-earth dopant which provides a gain medium within said laser cavity; a pair of reflective elements delimiting said laser cavity; the length of said laser cavity, the gain of said gain medium, and the reflectivity of said reflective elements being so as to cause lasing to occur at a predetermined lasing wavelength; said reflective elements reflecting incident light at said lasing wavelength; and compression means for compressing said solid optical waveguide so as to change said lasing wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The tunable laser of claim 1 wherein: said reflective elements comprise at least one Bragg grating each having a central reflection wavelength; and said compression means also compresses said grating, thereby changing said reflection wavelength of said grating to correspond to the lasing wavelength of the compressed laser cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tunable laser of claim 1 wherein said lasing wavelength is tunable over a wavelength range greater than a predetermined range, said predetermined range being: 5 nm, 10 nm, 15 nm, 20 nm, or 30 nm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tunable laser of claim 1 wherein said rare-earth dopant comprises erbium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tunable laser of claim 1 wherein said waveguide comprises optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The tunable laser of claim 1 wherein said waveguide comprises Silica.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for tuning the lasing wavelength of a waveguide laser, comprising the steps of: obtaining a laser cavity comprising a solid optical waveguide, a portion of which is doped with a rare-earth dopant; and compressing said solid optical waveguide thereby altering the length of said cavity and changing a lasing wavelength of said laser.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for tuning the lasing wavelength of a waveguide laser, comprising the steps of: obtaining a laser cavity comprising a solid optical waveguide, a portion of which is doped with a rare-earth dopant; and compressing said solid optical waveguide thereby altering the length of said cavity and changing a lasing wavelength of said laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of compressing further comprises: compressing at least one of a pair of reflective elements delimiting said laser cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said reflective element comprises a Bragg grating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said waveguide comprises Silica.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 within said lasing wavelength is tunable over a wavelength range greater than a predetermined range, said predetermined range being: 5 nm, 10 nm, 15 nm, 20 nm, or 30 nm.
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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) | 2000-11-24 | 2001-05-26 | 2001-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-24 | 2005-05-26 | 2005-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-24 | 2009-05-26 | 2009-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |