公开(公告)号：US20040240037A1

公开(公告)日：2004-12-02

申请号：US10437057

申请日：2003-05-14

Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Donald J. Harter

IPC: H01S003/13

CPC classification number: H01S3/0057 ,  G02B6/2932 ,  G02B6/29374 ,  H01S3/067 ,  H01S3/06708 ,  H01S3/06716 ,  H01S3/06725 ,  H01S3/0675 ,  H01S3/06754 ,  H01S3/06758 ,  H01S3/08013 ,  H01S3/094003 ,  H01S3/094076 ,  H01S3/0941 ,  H01S3/10046 ,  H01S3/11 ,  H01S3/1106 ,  H01S3/1608 ,  H01S3/1618 ,  H01S3/2308 ,  H01S5/0057 ,  H04B10/508

Abstract: System for converting relatively long pulses from rep-rate variable ultrafast optical sources to shorter, high-energy pulses suitable for sources in high-energy ultrafast lasers. Fibers with positive group velocity dispersion (GVD) and self phase modulation are advantageously employed with the optical sources. These systems take advantage of the need for higher pulse energies at lower repetition rates so that such sources can be cost effective.

Abstract translation: 用于将相对长的脉冲从代表性可变超快光源转换为适用于高能超快激光源的较短，高能脉冲的系统。 具有正组速度色散（GVD）和自相位调制的光纤有利地与光源一起使用。 这些系统利用对较低重复频率的较高脉冲能量的需要，使得这些源可以具有成本效益。

公开(公告)号：US20040036957A1

公开(公告)日：2004-02-26

申请号：US10645662

申请日：2003-08-22

Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Almantas Galvanauskas ,  Donald J. Harter ,  Martin E. Fermann ,  Ferenc Raksi

IPC: H01S003/00

CPC classification number: G02F1/39 ,  B23K26/06 ,  B23K26/0624 ,  G02F2001/3548 ,  G02F2001/392 ,  H01S3/0057 ,  H01S3/0604 ,  H01S3/115

Abstract: The invention describes techniques for the control of the spatial as well as spectral beam quality of multi-mode fiber amplification of high peak power pulses as well as using such a configuration to replace the present diode-pumped, Neodynium based sources. Perfect spatial beam-quality can be ensured by exciting the fundamental mode in the multi-mode fibers with appropriate mode-matching optics and techniques. The loss of spatial beam-quality in the multi-mode fibers along the fiber length can be minimized by using multi-mode fibers with large cladding diameters. Near diffraction-limited coherent multi-mode amplifiers can be conveniently cladding pumped, allowing for the generation of high average power. Moreover, the polarization state in the multi-mode fiber amplifiers can be preserved by implementing multi-mode fibers with stress producing regions or elliptical fiber cores These lasers find application as a general replacement of Nd:based lasers, especially Nd:YAG lasers. Particularly utility is disclosed for applications in the marking, micro-machining and drilling areas.

Abstract translation: 本发明描述了用于控制高峰值功率脉冲的多模光纤放大的空间以及光束质量的技术，以及使用这种配置来替代当前二极管泵浦的基于钕的源。 通过适当的模式匹配光学和技术，可以通过激发多模光纤中的基模来确保完美的空间光束质量。 通过使用具有大包层直径的多模光纤，能够使沿着光纤长度的多模光纤中的空间光束质量损失最小化。 近衍射极限相干多模放大器可以方便地进行包层泵浦，从而产生高平均功率。 此外，通过实施具有应力产生区域或椭圆形光纤核心的多模光纤，可以保持多模光纤放大器中的偏振状态。这些激光器可用作Nd基激光器，尤其是Nd：YAG激光器的一般替代。 公开了用于标记，微加工和钻孔领域的应用。

公开(公告)号：US20020097761A1

公开(公告)日：2002-07-25

申请号：US10050716

申请日：2002-01-18

Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Gregg D. Sucha ,  Martin E. Fermann ,  Donald J. Harter

IPC: H01S003/13

CPC classification number: H01S3/2383 ,  G01P3/806 ,  G01R13/347 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01S7/486 ,  G01S7/497 ,  G01S17/107 ,  G01S17/50 ,  H01S3/1398

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for performing temporal scanning using ultra-short pulsewidth lasers in which only minimal (micro-scale) mechanical movement is required. The invention also relates to methods for obtaining high-accuracy timing calibration, on the order of femtoseconds. A dual laser system is disclosed in which the cavity of one or more of the lasers is dithered, by using a piezoelectric element. A Fabry-Perot etalon is used to generate a sequence of timing pulses used in conjunction with a laser beam produced by the laser having the dithered laser cavity. A correlator correlates a laser pulse from one of the lasers with the sequence of timing pulses to produce a calibrated time scale. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are applicable to many applications requiring rapid scanning and time calibration, including, but not limited to metrology, characterization of charge dynamics in semiconductors, electro-optic testing of ultrafast electronic and optoelectronic devices, optical time domain reflectometry, and electro-optic sampling oscilloscopes.

公开(公告)号：US20020034199A1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-21

申请号：US09956920

申请日：2001-09-21

Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Almantas Galvanauskas ,  Ka K. Wong ,  Donald J. Harter

IPC: H01S003/10

CPC classification number: G02F1/3137 ,  G01B9/02007 ,  G01B9/02014 ,  G01B9/02091 ,  G02F1/3132 ,  G02F1/335 ,  G02F1/395 ,  G02F2201/124 ,  H01S3/0057

Abstract: A multiple-wavelength ultrashort-pulse laser system includes a laser generator producing ultrashort pulses at a fixed wavelength, and at least one and preferably a plurality of wavelength conversion channels. Preferably, a fiber laser system is used for generating single-wavelength, ultrashort pulses. An optical split switch matrix directs the pulses from the laser generator into at least one of the wavelength conversion channels. An optical combining switch matrix is disposed downstream of the wavelength-conversion channels and combines outputs from separate wavelength-conversion channels into a single output channel. Preferably, waveguides formed in a ferroelectric substrate by titanium indiffusion (TI) and/or proton exchange (PE) form the wavelength conversion channels and the splitting and combining matrices. Use of the waveguide allows efficient optical parametric generation to occur in the wavelength-conversion channels at pulse energies achievable with a mode-locked laser source. The multiple-wavelength laser system can replace a plurality of different, single-wavelength laser systems. One particular application for the system is a multi-photon microscope, where the ability to select the ultrashort-signal wavelength of the laser source accommodates any single fluorescent dye or several fluorescent dyes simultaneously. In its simplest form, the system can be used to convert the laser wavelength to a more favorable wavelength For example, pulses generated at 1.55 nullm by a mode-locked erbium fiber laser can be converted to 1.3 nullm for use in optical coherence tomography or to 1.04-1.12 nullm for amplification by a Yterbium amplifier, allowing amplification of pulses which can be used in a display, printing or machining system.

Abstract translation: 多波长超短脉冲激光系统包括产生固定波长的超短脉冲的激光发生器和至少一个，优选多个波长转换通道。 优选地，光纤激光系统用于产生单波长超短脉冲。 光分路开关矩阵将来自激光发生器的脉冲引导到至少一个波长转换通道。 光学组合开关矩阵设置在波长转换通道的下游，并将来自分离的波长转换通道的输出组合成单个输出通道。 优选地，通过钛扩散（TI）和/或质子交换（PE）在铁电衬底中形成的波导形成波长转换通道和分离和组合矩阵。 波导的使用允许在波长转换通道中以在锁模激光源可实现的脉冲能量下发生有效的光参量产生。 多波长激光系统可以代替多个不同的单波长激光系统。 该系统的一个特殊应用是多光子显微镜，其中选择激光源的超短信号波长的能力同时容纳任何单一荧光染料或几种荧光染料。 在其最简单的形式中，该系统可用于将激光波长转换为更有利的波长例如，通过模式锁定铒光纤激光器在1.55mum处产生的脉冲可以转换为1.3μm，用于光学相干断层扫描或 1.04-1.12微米用于通过镱放大器进行放大，允许放大可用于显示，印刷或加工系统的脉冲。