US6192062B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Beam combining of diode laser array elements for high brightness and power
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 2000-02-04
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Granted: 2001-02-20
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Expires: 2020-02-04
Abstract
Abstract The present invention also features an external cavity laser source that includes a free space external cavity comprising a laser array, an optical element, a dispersive element, and a partially reflecting element. The laser array comprises at least two optical gain elements where each of the at least two optical gain elements generate optical radiation having a unique wavelength. The optical element has a focal plane and is positioned to substantially place the focal plane at the at least two optical gain elements and to intercept the generated optical radiation. The dispersive element is positioned substantially at the focal plane of the optical element. The partially reflecting element is positioned to intercept radiation from the dispersive element. The partially reflecting element and the gain elements together forming the free space laser cavity that defines the at least first and second wavelength.
Inventors
- 👤 Antonio Sanchez-Rubio
- 👤 Tso Yee Fan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/40; H01S5/4025; H01S5/4031; H01S5/4062; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/067; H01S3/23; H01S3/2383; H01S5/10; H01S5/14; H01S5/141; H01S5/143; H01S5/4087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An external cavity laser source comprising: a) a free space external cavity comprising: i) an optical gain element array comprising at least two optical gain elements, each of the at least two optical gain elements generating optical radiation having a unique wavelength; ii) an optical element having a focal plane, the optical element positioned to substantially place the focal plane at the at least two optical gain elements and to intercept the generated optical radiation; iii) a dispersive element positioned substantially at the focal plane of the optical element; and iv) a partially reflecting element positioned to intercept radiation from the dispersive element, wherein the partially reflecting element and the gain elements together form the free space laser cavity that produces the at least first and second wavelengths, and wherein the partially reflecting element transmits an overlapping beam comprising radiation having the at least first and second wavelength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An external cavity laser source comprising: a) a free space external cavity comprising: i) an optical gain element array comprising at least two optical gain elements, each of the at least two optical gain elements generating optical radiation having a unique wavelength; ii) an optical element having a focal plane, the optical element positioned to substantially place the focal plane at the at least two optical gain elements and to intercept the generated optical radiation; iii) a dispersive element positioned substantially at the focal plane of the optical element; and iv) a partially reflecting element positioned to intercept radiation from the dispersive element, wherein the partially reflecting element and the gain elements together form the free space laser cavity that produces the at least first and second wavelengths, and wherein the partially reflecting element transmits an overlapping beam comprising radiation having the at least first and second wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the positioning of the dispersive element substantially at the focal plane of the optical element reduces cross talk between at least two optical gain elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the dispersive element comprises a grating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the optical element comprises a refractive or a reflective element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the partially reflecting element comprises an end face of an optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the at least two optical gain elements each generate at least 0.5 Watt of optical radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the overlapping beam comprises a coaxial beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the optical gain element array comprises a fiber laser array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the optical gain element array comprises a semiconductor laser array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the at least two optical gain elements comprises at least two multi-mode optical gain elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the at least two optical gain elements comprises at least two single mode optical gain elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laser of claim 1 further comprising a spatial filter positioned in a path of the overlapping beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The laser of claim 12 wherein an etendue of the spatial filter is substantially less than or equal to the etendue of an optical gain element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laser of claim 12 wherein an aperture of the spatial filter comprises a partially reflecting element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laser of claim 12 wherein an aperture of the spatial filter comprises an end of an optical fiber.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of generating optical radiation using an external cavity laser source, the method comprising: b) generating at least two free space optical beams with at least two optical gain elements, the at least two optical beams having at least a first and a second wavelength, respectively; c) propagating the at least two optical beams to an optical element that intercepts the at least two optical beams, the optical element being positioned so that the at least two optical gain elements are positioned substantially at a focal plane of the optical element; d) propagating the at least two optical beams to a dispersive element positioned so that their footprints are substantially overlapping; e) propagating the at least two optical beams to a partially reflecting element positioned to receive radiation from the dispersive element, the partially reflecting element and the gain element together forming a free space laser cavity that produces the at least first and second wavelengths; and f) transmitting an overlapping beam comprising radiation having the at least first and second wavelength through the partially reflecting element.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of generating optical radiation using an external cavity laser source, the method comprising: b) generating at least two free space optical beams with at least two optical gain elements, the at least two optical beams having at least a first and a second wavelength, respectively; c) propagating the at least two optical beams to an optical element that intercepts the at least two optical beams, the optical element being positioned so that the at least two optical gain elements are positioned substantially at a focal plane of the optical element; d) propagating the at least two optical beams to a dispersive element positioned so that their footprints are substantially overlapping; e) propagating the at least two optical beams to a partially reflecting element positioned to receive radiation from the dispersive element, the partially reflecting element and the gain element together forming a free space laser cavity that produces the at least first and second wavelengths; and f) transmitting an overlapping beam comprising radiation having the at least first and second wavelength through the partially reflecting element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of transmitting the overlapping beam through a spatial filter that is positioned between the dispersive element and the partially reflecting element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 wherein each of the at least two optical gain elements generate at least 0.5 Watt of optical radiation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of transmitting an overlapping beam comprises transmitting a coaxial beam.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of improving beam quality and increasing the brightness of an external cavity laser source, the method comprising: g) generating at least two free space optical beams with at least two optical gain elements, the at least two optical beams having at least a first and a second wavelength, respectively; h) propagating the at least two optical beams to an optical element that intercepts the at least two optical beams, the optical element being positioned so that the at least two optical gain elements are positioned substantially at a focal plane of the optical element; i) propagating the at least two optical beams to a dispersive element positioned so that their footprints are substantially overlapping; j) propagating the at least two optical beams to a partially reflecting element positioned to receive radiation from the dispersive element, the partially reflecting element and the gain element together forming a free space laser cavity that produces the at least first and second wavelengths; k) transmitting an overlapping beam through a spatial filter that is positioned between the dispersive element and the partially reflecting element, thereby improving beam quality and increasing the brightness of the overlapping beam; and l) transmitting the overlapping beam comprising radiation having the at least first and second wavelengths through the partially reflecting element.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of improving beam quality and increasing the brightness of an external cavity laser source, the method comprising: g) generating at least two free space optical beams with at least two optical gain elements, the at least two optical beams having at least a first and a second wavelength, respectively; h) propagating the at least two optical beams to an optical element that intercepts the at least two optical beams, the optical element being positioned so that the at least two optical gain elements are positioned substantially at a focal plane of the optical element; i) propagating the at least two optical beams to a dispersive element positioned so that their footprints are substantially overlapping; j) propagating the at least two optical beams to a partially reflecting element positioned to receive radiation from the dispersive element, the partially reflecting element and the gain element together forming a free space laser cavity that produces the at least first and second wavelengths; k) transmitting an overlapping beam through a spatial filter that is positioned between the dispersive element and the partially reflecting element, thereby improving beam quality and increasing the brightness of the overlapping beam; and l) transmitting the overlapping beam comprising radiation having the at least first and second wavelengths through the partially reflecting element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5526155A
Cited
US5982803A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-02-20 | 2004-08-21 | 2005-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-20 | 2008-08-21 | 2009-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-20 | 2012-08-21 | 2013-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |