摘要:
The present invention provides a continuously-tunable external cavity laser (ECL) with a compact form factor and precise tuning. A novel interference filter which may be used to tune the ECL provides an absence of mode-hopping and reduced feedback from both spurious interference (210) and reflections (214) in the external cavity. A novel tuning mechanism is disclosed which provides for mechanical FM tuning of a wide range ECL tuning elements such as an interference filter, a diffraction element and a retroreflector (122). A novel feedback circuit is disclosed which provides closed loop feedback for selecting output wavelength in a laser.
摘要:
Un dispositif de support (10) pour des articles circulaires centrés (A) comprend une structure (12) pourvue d'un premier bras (14) et d'un second bras (16) fixés pivotants à la structure. Le premier bras présente un point de contact unique (18) au niveau de son extrémité distale alors que le second bras comprend une paire de surfaces divergentes (20, 22) au niveau de son extrémité distale. Les deux bras sont mécaniquement couplés de façon à tourner tout en maintenant une position fixe l'un par rapport à l'autre, et les surfaces incurvées du second bras sont profilées de façon particulière de sorte que des articles circulaires maintenus par les deux bras seront centrés en un endroit fixe par rapport à la structure de support.
摘要:
Wavelength-agile optical filters, suitable for wavelength-division-multiplexed optical communications networks, which provide for electrical or mechanical tuning to a known position or electrical parameter with precision in the selected center wavelength arising as result of the arrangements of a grid generator (246) and a channel selector (252). Within the embodiments of the invention, it may be used in a wide range of applications, such as, tuning an external cavity laser, selecting a wavelength for an add/drop multiplexer and providing channel selection and feedback for a wavelength locker, or be implemented in whole or in part of a gain medium (224). The invention may thus be utilized in telecom applications to generate the center wavelengths for any channel on the current International Telecommunications Union or other optical grids.
摘要:
Disclosed are optical circulators including a first beam displacer/combiner (322), a first nonreciprocal rotator (326 A, B), a first beam angle turner (330 A, B), a second beam angle turner (340 A, B), a second nonreciprocal rotator (346 A, B), and a second beam displacer/combiner (350), together with methods of using the optical circulators and telecommunications systems including the optical circulators. An apparatus for optically circulating light beams between ports is further disclosed, with a first port (302) and a third port (304) positioned at the proximal end of the apparatus, and a second port (306) positioned at a distal end of the apparatus. The first port is capable of transmitting a first light beam and the second port is capable of transmitting a second light beam. The apparatus includes a first beam bender having opposing first and second faces at an angle to one another and intersecting a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal to the distal end of the optical circulator. The apparatus may additionally comprise end portions and imaging elements (370, 372).
摘要:
Un appareil de montage optique comprend un support supérieur et un montant inférieur. Le support supérieur comprend une plaque supérieure montée sur une plaque de support par un mécanisme de suspension à trois points. Le fait de placer une région de montage d'éléments optiques au coin d'un rectangle défini par les trois points de suspension permet de régler par rotation un point de référence se trouvant dans la région sans réglage translatif simultané, par manipulation uniquement de deux des trois points de suspension. Ladite plaque de base est montée sur une tige de support reçue coulissante dans un logement. Un bras de levier présentant une surface venant au contact de la tige de support peut être déplacé par rapport au logement afin de bloquer sélectivement la tige en place.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for multiplexing/de-multiplexing optical signals, comprising of a linear polarizer (450, fig. 4c), wave plates (452, fig. 4c), and a beam displacer/combiner (454, fig. 4c), wherein the wave plates (340, 342, 344, 346, fig. 4c) optically coupled to the linear polarizer (400, 402, 404, AB, fig. 4c), and the wave plates rotate both odd and even channel components of an optical beam between a linear and an orthogonal relationship depending on the propagation direction, and each of wave plate is of a selected length and index of refraction which together determine a free spectral range which corrresponds to a spacing between adjacent gridlines of a selected wavelength grid, and each of the wave plates is tuned to even symmetry with the selected wavelength grid and wherein the beam displacer/combiner (420, AB, 422 AB, 426, 428, FIG. 4c) displaces and combines orthogonally polarized odd and even channel components of an optical beam depending on a propagation direction.
摘要:
The present invention provides an optical multimeter (100) for use in calibrating and testing optical components. The optical multimeter (100) includes an analog/digital signal generator (250) for delivering an output beam (260) over a wide range of frequencies, duty cycles and amplitudes. Circuitry is also provided for modulation (222) of an analog signal onto the output. The signal generator (250) includes a tunable laser that is thermally stabilized as to optical path length, as well as tuning angle of the tuning element. The tunable laser exhibits a small form factor due in part to a novel wavelength control process which utilizes an open loop system to maintain precise output wavelength (260) control without the requirement of either a wavelength or position feedback device. Additionally, the tunable laser incorporates an inexpensive modulator circuit (222) which combines a low frequency closed loop power control with a separate digital modulator.
摘要:
Disclosed are both a housing and an assembly for a tunable external cavity laser. The housing includes: a base section (302), a motion section (306), and an actuator (366). The base section includes a proximal and distal portion, and the laser (324) and the dispersive element (602, attached to mounting surface 328) mounted at respectively the proximal and distal portions such that energy emanating from the laser strikes the dispersive element leaving the dispersive element as a second beam at an angle with respect to the first beam which depends on wavelength. The motion section includes a proximal and a distal portion and a torsional member (362 A-B) positioned at the proximal portion and the reflector (364) positioned at the distal portion to reflect the second beam to the laser via the dispersive element, and the motion section supported by the base about the torsional member. The actuator (366) is in selectively engageable abutment against the distal portion of the motion section to move the reflector with respect to the dispersive element about the torsional member to tune the external cavity laser.
摘要:
This invention relates to electromechanical actuators, and particularly to actuators utilizing piezoelectric elements to rotate positioning shafts associated with optical elements.