US7973936B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control system and apparatus for use with ultra-fast laser
Assignee: Michigan State University
•
Filing: 2005-09-02
•
Granted: 2011-07-05
•
Expires: 2025-09-02
Abstract
Abstract A control system and apparatus for use with an ultra-fast laser is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a laser, pulse shaper, detection device and control system. A multiphoton intrapulse interference method is used to characterize the spectral phase of laser pulses and to compensate any distortions in an additional aspect of the present invention. In another aspect of the present invention, a system employs multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan. Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention locates a pulse shaper and/or MIIPS unit between a laser oscillator and an output of a laser amplifier.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcos Dantus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J49/00; H01J49/02; H01J49/10; H01J49/16; H01J49/161; H01J49/164; G; G01; G01J; G01J11/00; G01J3/00; G01N; G01N21/00; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/0014; H01S3/005; H01S3/0057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
Computer software stored in non-transitory computer memory, the computer software comprising: (a) first instructions operably causing an introduction of a known spectral phase function through pulse shaping ultra-short, femtosecond photonic laser beam pulses; (b) second instructions operably using measurements of an unknown spectral phase in at least one of the pulses; and (c) third instructions operably causing compensation for undesired distortions in at least one of the pulses through pulse shaping.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
Computer software stored in non-transitory computer memory, the computer software comprising: (a) first instructions operably causing an introduction of a known spectral phase function through pulse shaping ultra-short, femtosecond photonic laser beam pulses; (b) second instructions operably using measurements of an unknown spectral phase in at least one of the pulses; and (c) third instructions operably causing compensation for undesired distortions in at least one of the pulses through pulse shaping.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer software as recited in claim 1 , further comprising additional instructions iteratively conducting the compensation and compensating for at least third order phase distortions in the at least one of the pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer software as recited in claim 1 , further comprising additional instructions directly conducting the compensation in one shot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer software as recited in claim 1 , further comprising additional instructions causing binary phase shaping to at least one of the pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer software as recited in claim 1 , further comprising additional instructions automatically controlling multiphoton intrapulse interference in at least one of the pulses after it has been chirped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The computer software as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: fourth instructions obtaining a second derivative of a phase of at least one of the pulses; fifth instructions obtaining a value representative of a phase across the entire spectrum of the at least one of the pulses by using double integration; and sixth instructions applying the negative of the value in order to correct distortions in the at least one of the pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computer software as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a pulse shaper changing a characteristic of the pulses in response to at least one of the instructions; a spectrometer assisting in the measurement of the unknown spectral phase; and a computer programmed with and operating the instructions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer software as recited in claim 1 , wherein the pulse shaping assists in both the measurement and compensation of the pulse distortions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer software as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ultra-short pulses has a duration of less than 20 femtoseconds.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
A computer program stored in non-transitory memory, the computer program comprising instructions, wherein: (a) at least one of the instructions automatically characterizes undesired distortions in at least one laser beam output; (b) at least another of the instructions calculates a phase of the at least one laser beam output; and (c) at least a further of the instructions automatically corrects the distortions in the at least one laser beam output, at least in part by controlling multiphoton intrapulse interference.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A computer program stored in non-transitory memory, the computer program comprising instructions, wherein: (a) at least one of the instructions automatically characterizes undesired distortions in at least one laser beam output; (b) at least another of the instructions calculates a phase of the at least one laser beam output; and (c) at least a further of the instructions automatically corrects the distortions in the at least one laser beam output, at least in part by controlling multiphoton intrapulse interference.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program as recited in claim 10 , further comprising additional instructions directly measuring a second derivative of the phase.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer program as recited in claim 10 , wherein the instructions characterize and compensate distortions in the at least one laser beam output which includes laser beam pulses having durations less than 100femtoseconds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
The computer program as recited in claim 10 , further comprising additional instructions: causing an introduction of a known spectral phase function through pulse shaping the at least one laser beam output; causing a measurement of an unknown spectral phase in the at least one laser beam output; and causing binary phase shaping to the at least one laser beam output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer program as recited in claim 10 , further comprising: a laser emitting the at least one laser beam output; a shaper shaping the at least one laser beam output to assist with the correcting; and a computer operating the instructions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer program as recited in claim 10 , further comprising a pulse shaper assisting in controlling the multiphoton intrapulse interference in response to at least one of the instructions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer program as recited in claim 10 , wherein pulse shaping, controlled by at least one of the instructions, assists in both the characterizing and the correcting of the distortions, which include at least third order phase distortions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
141 words
Computer software stored in non-transitory computer memory, the computer software comprising: (a) first instructions measuring phase distortions in at least one laser beam pulse that is compressed; (b) second instructions characterizing the at least one pulse; (c) third instructions using values representative of amplitude and phase spectral profiles during computer calcuations; (d) fourth instructions receiving at least one signal from a spectrometer receiving the at least one pulse; (e) fifth instructions controlling a pulse shaper; (f) sixth instructions determining the spectral intensity and spectral phase of the at least one pulse; (g) seventh instructions determining a correction to reduce undesired distortion in the at least one pulse; and (h) eighth instructions generating a spectral phase scan trace of the at least one pulse; wherein the software causes correction of the undesired distortion by substantially closed loop calculations without a learning algorithm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
141 words
Computer software stored in non-transitory computer memory, the computer software comprising: (a) first instructions measuring phase distortions in at least one laser beam pulse that is compressed; (b) second instructions characterizing the at least one pulse; (c) third instructions using values representative of amplitude and phase spectral profiles during computer calcuations; (d) fourth instructions receiving at least one signal from a spectrometer receiving the at least one pulse; (e) fifth instructions controlling a pulse shaper; (f) sixth instructions determining the spectral intensity and spectral phase of the at least one pulse; (g) seventh instructions determining a correction to reduce undesired distortion in the at least one pulse; and (h) eighth instructions generating a spectral phase scan trace of the at least one pulse; wherein the software causes correction of the undesired distortion by substantially closed loop calculations without a learning algorithm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer software as recited in claim 17 , further comprising additional instructions iteratively conducting the correction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer software as recited in claim 17 , further comprising additional instructions directly conducting the correction in one shot.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer software as recited in claim 17 , further comprising additional instructions causing binary phase shaping to the at least one pulse.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer software as recited in claim 17 , further comprising additional instructions automatically controlling multiphoton intrapulse interference in the at least one pulse after it has been chirped.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
69 words
The computer software as recited in claim 17 , further comprising: ninth instructions obtaining a second derivative of a phase of the at least one pulse; tenth instructions obtaining a value representative of a phase across the entire spectrum of the at least one pulse by using double integration; and eleventh instructions applying the negative of the value in order to correct distortions in the at least one pulse.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
77 words
The computer software as recited in claim 17 , further comprising: (a) ninth instructions operably causing a known spectral phase function to be introduced through pulse shaping the at least one pulse which includes multiple ultra-short, femtosecond laser beam pulses; (b) tenth instructions operably causing measuring an unknown spectral phase in at least one of the pulses; and (c) eleventh instructions operably causing compensating for undesired distortions in at least one of the pulses through pulse shaping.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer software as recited in claim 17 , further comprising additional instructions acquiring a SHG spectrum and automatically correcting the pulse for the measured distortions through pulse shaping.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer software as recited in claim 17 , wherein the at least one pulse has a duration less than 100 femtoseconds, further comprising additional instructions automatically moving optical hardware in response to computer calculations.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer software as recited in claim 17 , further comprising additional instructions controlling multiphoton intrapulse interference in the at least one pulse at least in part by varying a pulse shape introduced into the at least one pulse without use of an interferometer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer software as recited in claim 17 , further comprising a microprocessor programmed with the instructions, at least some of the instructions changing a pulse shaping characteristic of the pulse shaper.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer program stored in non-transitory memory, the computer program comprising: (a) first instructions operably causing a known spectral phase function to be introduced into laser beam pulses; (b) second instructions causing an unknown spectral phase to be measured in at least one of the pulses; (c) third instructions causing compensation for undesired distortions in at least one of the pulses; and (d) fourth instructions causing at least steps (b) and (c) to be performed automatically by calculation without use of a learning algorithm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer program stored in non-transitory memory, the computer program comprising: (a) first instructions operably causing a known spectral phase function to be introduced into laser beam pulses; (b) second instructions causing an unknown spectral phase to be measured in at least one of the pulses; (c) third instructions causing compensation for undesired distortions in at least one of the pulses; and (d) fourth instructions causing at least steps (b) and (c) to be performed automatically by calculation without use of a learning algorithm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
85 words
The computer program of claim 28 , further comprising: instructions for acquiring an initial phase scan; instructions for automatically adjusting the optic hardware to correct the phase distortions; instructions for determining if at least one of quadratic and cubic phase residue has been reached; instructions for acquiring a subsequent phase scan; instructions for applying −φ(ω) to correct said subsequent phase; instructions for determining if the target phase residue has been reached; and instructions for storing a compensation phase file and laser beam output corrective parameters.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer program of claim 29 , wherein the instructions for initializing parameters comprises initializing a phase compensation −φ(ω).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer program of claim 28 , further comprising setting initial parameters for a phase scan (αγδ) using a reference function dependent on initial parameters f(αγδ) and a target residual phase.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer program of claim 29 , wherein the instructions for automatically adjusting the optic hardware comprises calculating the sign and magnitude of correction.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program of claim 29 , wherein the instructions for automatically adjusting the optic hardware comprises repeating the automatic adjustment of the optic hardware.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
78 words
The computer program of claim 29 , wherein if in the instructions for determining if at least one of the quadratic and cubic phase residue has been reached, it is determined that the quadratic and cubic phase residue has not been reached, the steps are repeated beginning with the instructions for acquiring an initial phase scan until it is determined that the at least one of quadratic and cubic phase residue queried in the instructions has been reached.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer program of claim 29 , wherein the instructions for applying −φ(ω) to correct the subsequent phase comprises extracting maxima from the phase scan for the parameter of the function.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer program of claim 29 , wherein the instructions for applying −φ(ω) to correct the subsequent phase comprises integrating the obtained φ″ to obtain a phase across the whole spectrum, −φ(ω).
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program of claim 29 , further comprising instructions adding −φ(ω) from the previous iteration to the applied compensation function φ(ω).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer program of claim 29 , wherein the instructions for storing a phase compensation file and output corrective parameters further comprises adjusting hardware settings and the accumulated φ(ω).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer program of claim 28 , further comprising instructions for initializing parameters comprising calibrating wavelength and phase scales.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer program of claim 28 , further comprising additional instructions causing a suppression of three photon or greater transitions in at least one of the pulses, wherein at least one of the pulses has a duration less than 10 femtoseconds.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer program of claim 28 , further comprising: (a) additional instructions receiving measurement signals from a spectrometer; and (b) additional instructions automatically controlling a pulse shaper to introduce a distortion compensation in at least one of the pulses.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer program of claim 28 , further comprising: a pulse shaper changing a characteristic of the pulses in response to at least one of the instructions; a spectrometer assisting in the measurement of the unknown spectral phase; and a computer programmed with and operating the instructions.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer program of claim 28 , wherein pulse shaping, controlled by at least one of the instructions, assists in both the measurement and the compensation of the distortions, which include at least third order phase distortions.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
123 words
Computer software stored in non-transitory computer memory, the computer software comprising: (a) first instructions causing a pulse shaper to introduce a calibrated phase into at least one photonic laser beam pulse, each pulse having a duration of less than 100 femtoseconds; (b) second instructions causing generation of a spectral phase scan trace of the at least one pulse; (c) third instructions characterizing the at least one pulse; (d) fourth instructions determining a correction to reduce undesired distortion in the at least one pulse; and (e) fifth instructions causing the pulse shaper to introduce a phase that corrects the undesired phase distortions; wherein the software causes correction of the undesired distortion by substantially automatic software calculations, without a learning algorithm and without an interferometer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
123 words
Computer software stored in non-transitory computer memory, the computer software comprising: (a) first instructions causing a pulse shaper to introduce a calibrated phase into at least one photonic laser beam pulse, each pulse having a duration of less than 100 femtoseconds; (b) second instructions causing generation of a spectral phase scan trace of the at least one pulse; (c) third instructions characterizing the at least one pulse; (d) fourth instructions determining a correction to reduce undesired distortion in the at least one pulse; and (e) fifth instructions causing the pulse shaper to introduce a phase that corrects the undesired phase distortions; wherein the software causes correction of the undesired distortion by substantially automatic software calculations, without a learning algorithm and without an interferometer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
49 words
A computer program apparatus comprising software running on a computer, the software automatically determining and correcting phase distortions of at least one photonic laser beam output by calculated corrections with the assistance of pulse shaping, within three iterations to yield a transform-limited laser beam output, but without an interferometer.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
49 words
A computer program apparatus comprising software running on a computer, the software automatically determining and correcting phase distortions of at least one photonic laser beam output by calculated corrections with the assistance of pulse shaping, within three iterations to yield a transform-limited laser beam output, but without an interferometer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer program apparatus of claim 45 , wherein the software is operated on the computer to vary phase shaping between a plurality of laser beam output which are pulses.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer program apparatus of claim 45 , wherein the software is operated on the computer to control sending of a communications signal through the at least one laser beam output to a remote communications receiver.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer program apparatus of claim 45 , wherein the software is operated on the computer to control the at least one laser beam output in medical use upon living tissue.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer program apparatus of claim 45 , wherein the software is operated on the computer to prevent three photon damage in a pulse duration less than 100 femtoseconds.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer program apparatus of claim 45 , wherein the software is operated on the computer to control the at least one laser beam output in microscopy where at least one output pulse duration is less than 20 femtoseconds.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of using software stored in non-transient memory and adapted for use on a computer, the method comprising: (a) using the software to introduce a known spectral phase function into photonic laser beam pulses; (b) using the software to measure an unknown spectral phase in at least one of the pulses; and (c) using the software to correct for an undesired distortion in at least one of the pulses through use of calculated corrections without use of a learning algorithm.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of using software stored in non-transient memory and adapted for use on a computer, the method comprising: (a) using the software to introduce a known spectral phase function into photonic laser beam pulses; (b) using the software to measure an unknown spectral phase in at least one of the pulses; and (c) using the software to correct for an undesired distortion in at least one of the pulses through use of calculated corrections without use of a learning algorithm.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 51 , further comprising using the software to cause a suppression of three photon or greater transitions in at least one of the pulses, wherein at least one of the pulses has a duration less than 20 femtoseconds.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 51 , further comprising using the software for: obtaining a second derivative of a phase of the at least one pulse; obtaining a value representative of a phase across the entire spectrum of the at least one pulse by using double integration; and applying the negative of the value in order to correct distortions in the at least one pulse.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 51 , further comprising repeating steps (a)-(c) within three iterations to obtain a transform-limited pulse without use of an interferometer.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 51 , further comprising using the software to cause a pulse shaper to assist in both the measuring and the correcting of pulse distortions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3214563A
Cited
US3611182A
Cited
US3919881A
Cited
US3988704A
Cited
US4288691A
Cited
US4167662A
Cited
US4394780A
Cited
US4477905A
Cited
US4512660A
Cited
US4621006A
Cited
US5154963A
Cited
US5021282A
Cited
US4853065A
Cited
US4812776A
Cited
US4655547A
Cited
US4754760A
Cited
US4746193A
Cited
US4772854A
Cited
US4834474A
Cited
US4913934A
Cited
US4819239A
Cited
US4866699A
Cited
US4928316A
Cited
US4856860A
Cited
US5132512A
Cited
US4999840A
Cited
US5130994A
Cited
US5077619A
Cited
US5034613A
Cited
US5048029A
Cited
US5132824A
Cited
US5095487A
Cited
US5684595A
Cited
US5166818A
Cited
US5589955A
Cited
US5359410A
Cited
US5239607A
Cited
US5832013A
Cited
US5754292A
Cited
US5530544A
Cited
US5341236A
Cited
EP0605110A2
Cited
US6296810B1
Cited
US5463200A
Cited
US5491551A
Cited
US5406408A
Cited
US5414540A
Cited
US5414541A
Cited
US6288782B1
Cited
US5526155A
Cited
US5822097A
Cited
US5585913A
Cited
US20020097761A1
Cited
US6396856B1
Cited
US6259104B1
Cited
US5704700A
Cited
US5526171A
Cited
US5637966A
Cited
US5883309A
Cited
US5615673A
Cited
US5774213A
Cited
US5541947A
Cited
US5719650A
Cited
US6344653B1
Cited
US6166385A
Cited
US5631758A
Cited
US5682262A
Cited
US5689361A
Cited
US6184490B1
Cited
US5828459A
Cited
US6072813A
Cited
US6057919A
Cited
US5994687A
Cited
US6111251A
Cited
US5759767A
Cited
US6042603A
Cited
US6080148A
Cited
US5793091A
Cited
US6156527A
Cited
US5798867A
Cited
US5956173A
Cited
US6566667B1
Cited
US6058132A
Cited
US6002480A
Cited
US6008899A
Cited
US5936732A
Cited
US6219142B1
Cited
US6915040B2
Cited
US6421154B1
Cited
US6272156B1
Cited
US6160626A
Cited
US6130426A
Cited
US6316153B1
Cited
US6678450B1
Cited
US6081543A
Cited
US6801551B1
Cited
US6327068B1
Cited
US6621613B2
Cited
US6391229B1
Cited
US20010017727A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2014-07-04 | 2015-01-03 | 2015-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2018-07-04 | 2019-01-03 | 2019-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2022-07-04 | 2023-01-03 | 2023-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |