摘要:
A set of three gratings may be operated in a vernier loop fashion to select a particular wavelength from a wavelength division multiplexed system. As a result, an optical add/drop multiplexer may be provided that can be tuned to select a desired wavelength. In one embodiment, the tuning may be done thermo-optically.
摘要:
A thermally wavelength tunable laser includes a core, the core including more than one diffraction grating, and thermo-optical material adjacent to each diffraction grating. By selectively changing the temperature and hence the refractive index in the thermo-optical material adjacent to a chosen diffraction grating, the chosen diffraction grating can be tuned over a selected wavelength range. By selecting different diffraction gratings, different, non-overlapping wavelength ranges can be selected and the laser can be tuned over a broad range of wavelengths.
摘要:
Embodiments of wavelength tunable lasers are disclosed. The wavelength tunable lasers include thermo-optic organic material that has an index of refraction that can quickly vary in response to changes in temperature. By controlling the temperature in the thermo-optic organic material through the use of heaters or coolers, the wavelength tunable lasers and the integrated optical components can be quickly and selectively tuned over a broad range of wavelengths with high spectral selectivity.
摘要:
One or more lasers are combined with optical energy transfer devices and energy guiding devices which use an electric field for control. The optical energy transfer devices may form gratings, mirrors, lenses and the like using a class of poled structures in solid material. The poled structures may be combined with waveguide structures. Electric fields applied to the poled structures control routing, reflection and refraction of optical energy. Adjustable tunability is obtained by a poled structure which produces a spatial gradient in a variable index of refraction along an axis in the presence of a variable electric field.
摘要:
Laser source including materials with negative index of refraction dependence on temperature and with temperature independent coincidence between cavity modes and a set of specified frequencies such as DWDM channels in telecommunications applications. The free spectral range may be adjusted to equal a rational fraction of the specified frequency interval. The operating frequency may be defined by a frequency selective feedback element that is thermo-optically tuned by the application of heat from an actuator without substantially tuning the cavity modes. The operating frequency may be induced to hop digitally between the specified frequencies. In a particular embodiment, semiconductor amplifier and polymer waveguide segments form a linear resonator with a thermo-optically tuned grating reflector. In a further embodiment, an amplifier and two waveguides from a tunable grating assisted coupler form a ring resonator. Tuning may also be accomplished by means of applying an electric field across a liquid crystal portion of the waveguide structure within the grating.
摘要:
A new class of energy interaction devices, particularly optical energy transfer devices and energy guiding devices, use an energy field, particularly an electric field, applied to a poled structure to control energy propagation in a solid material. The poled structures, which may form gratings in thin film or bulk configurations, may be combined with waveguide structures to guide energy beams such as optical or acoustic beams. Electric fields applied to the poled structures, such as electrically-activated gratings, control routing of optical energy. Optical devices include but are not limited to, frequency-selective switchable- and adjustably-tunable reflectors, splitters, directional couplers, frequency-tunable switches and efficient beam combiners, as well as polarized beam combiners, am and fm modulators, mode selectors, energy transfer devices, optical data readers, panel display devices, and waveguide/reflector switching arrays. Variable reflectivity in a grating and adjustable tunability is obtained by a poled structure under the influence of an adjustable field, producing a spatial gradient in an adjustable propagation velocity in the solid material.
摘要:
A projection display is based on a new switching technology for routing laser light among a set of optical waveguides and coupling that light toward the viewer. The switching technology is based on poled electro-optical structures. The display technology is versatile enough to cover application areas spanning the range from miniature high resolution computer displays to large screen displays for high definition television formats. The invention combines the high brightness and power efficiency inherent in visible semiconductor diode laser sources with a new waveguide electro-optical switching technology to form a dense two-dimensional addressable array of high brightness light emissive pixels. This invention provides an all solid-state, full color, high resolution projection display suitable for displaying computer generated information and full motion HDTV.
摘要:
A flat panel display is based on a new switching technology for routing laser light among a set of optical waveguides and coupling that light toward the viewer. The switching technology is based on poled electro-optical structures. The display technology is versatile enough to cover application areas spanning the range from miniature high resolution computer displays to large screen displays for high definition television formats. The invention combines the high brightness and power efficiency inherent in visible semiconductor diode laser sources with a new waveguide electro-optical switching technology to form a dense two-dimensional addressable array of high brightness light emissive pixels.
摘要:
A laser cavity configuration employs a mode reshaping structure in a solid state waveguide. The mode reshaping may be by means of an adiabatic taper. Polarization switching may be employed in connection with the mode reshaping to obtain a high output power in a single transverse spatial mode from an integrated external cavity multiple-mode diode laser device. The structure provides stabilization and rapid tuning of the frequency of the diode laser, as well as use substantially all of the available power of the diode laser operating multimode. Various configurations and combinations are described. An advantage is that an integrated structure can provide output of the laser in a waveguide with single mode for subsequent applications. The external cavity diode laser according to the invention is consistent with a planar manufacturing process such that high volume, low cost products can be achieved.
摘要:
The invention envisages control devices acting on the laser to vary in time the electron/photon interaction, means proceeding to a State I in which they alter the optimal conditions for laser amplification; and a State II in which that reestablish said optimal conditions, which control devices permit the improvement of the peak amplitude and stability of the laser pulses and the rate and stability of the pulse period. According to another aspect of this invention, the two states are alternated, preferably periodically or almost periodically. The duration of State I should be selected by comparison with the characteristics of the electron packet and, in particular of the relaxation time observed for said packet. If the duration of State II is set to a value to be comparable to or longer than the electron relaxation time, the peak amplitude of the laser pulses is increased. The duration of State II should be selected by comparison with the natural macropulse width. If the duration of the State II is set to a value shorter than the natural duration of the laser macropulses, the repetition rate of the laser pulses can be increased.