Patent US5963577A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5963577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple element laser diode assembly incorporating a cylindrical microlens
Assignee: Blue Sky Research Inc
•
Filing: 1997-04-11
•
Granted: 1999-10-05
•
Expires: 2017-04-11
Abstract
Abstract Multiple element laser diode assembly incorporating a cylindrical microlens and at least one of an astigmatism correcting element and a collimating element. The use of a single purpose cylindrical microlens, for instance for circularizing a beam of laser light output from said diode, in operative combination with at least one additional optical element for correcting astigmatism and for collimating the beam enables the passive mounting of the several optical elements of the assembly without an active alignment step. The cylindrical microlens may incorporate as single powered surface, as may the astigmatism correction element. Alternatively, the astigmatism correction element may comprise a tilted optical plate. The collimating lens may be a spherical lens.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. Snyder
- 👤 Wai-Hon Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/02; G02B3/06; G02B19/00; G02B19/0004; G02B19/0009; G02B19/0014; G02B19/0033; G02B19/0047; G02B19/0052; G02B27/00; G02B27/09; G02B27/0938; G02B27/095; G02B27/0955; G02B27/0966; H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/40; H01S5/4025; H01S5/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A multiple element laser diode assembly comprising: a laser diode for producing a laser beam, said beam defining a fast diverging axis and a slow diverging axis; a circularizing cylindrical microlens in operative combination with said laser diode for circularizing said diverging beam by changing the divergence of at least one of said fast diverging axis and said slow diverging axis; and an astigmatism correcting element for correcting the astigmatism of said beam after said beam has been circularized by said cylindrical microlens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A multiple element laser diode assembly comprising: a laser diode for producing a laser beam, said beam defining a fast diverging axis and a slow diverging axis; a circularizing cylindrical microlens in operative combination with said laser diode for circularizing said diverging beam by changing the divergence of at least one of said fast diverging axis and said slow diverging axis; and an astigmatism correcting element for correcting the astigmatism of said beam after said beam has been circularized by said cylindrical microlens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The multiple element laser diode assembly of claim 1 wherein said astigmatism correcting element is selected from the group consisting of tilted optical plate, cylindrical lens, tilted spherical lens, and tilted aspherical lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multiple element laser diode assembly of claim 1 further comprising a collimating lens for collimating said beam after said beam has been circularized by said cylindrical microlens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiple element laser diode assembly of claim 3 wherein said astigmatism correcting element is optically mounted between said cylindrical microlens and said collimating lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiple element laser diode assembly of claim 3 wherein said collimating lens is optically mounted between said cylindrical microlens and said astigmatism correcting element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiple element laser diode assembly of claim 3 wherein said collimating lens is selected from the group consisting of spherical lens and aspherical lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The multiple element laser diode assembly of claim 1 wherein said laser diode further comprises a semiconductor laser diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A multiple element optical assembly comprising: a source producing a diverging beam of light, said beam defining a fast axis and a slow axis; a circularizing cylindrical microlens in operative combination with said source for circularizing said beam by changing the divergence of at least one of said fast axis and said slow axis; and at least one optical element in operative downstream combination with said cylindrical microlens, said at least one optical element selected from the group consisting of collimating lens, and astigmatism correcting element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
A multiple element optical assembly comprising: a source producing a diverging beam of light, said beam defining a fast axis and a slow axis; a circularizing cylindrical microlens in operative combination with said source for circularizing said beam by changing the divergence of at least one of said fast axis and said slow axis; and at least one optical element in operative downstream combination with said cylindrical microlens, said at least one optical element selected from the group consisting of collimating lens, and astigmatism correcting element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The multiple element laser diode assembly of claim 1 further comprising: carrier means, implementing spacer means for mounting thereto said laser diode and said circularizing cylindrical microlens, whereby said laser diode and said circularizing cylindrical microlens are optically aligned and maintained in optical alignment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The multiple element optical assembly of claim 8 further comprising: carrier means, implementing spacer means for mounting thereto said source and said circularizing cylindrical microlens, whereby said source and said circularizing cylindrical microlens are optically aligned and maintained in optical alignment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The multiple element laser diode assembly of claim 1 further comprising a circularizing cylindrical microlens whose optical performance is characterized by being insensitive to position relative to the laser diode.
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) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |