Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to wavelength conversion devices and laser projection systems incorporating the same. According to one embodiment of the present invention, wavelength conversion devices are provided without limitation of their field of use to laser projection systems. For example, the wavelength conversion device may comprise an axial waveguide portion and a pair of lateral planar waveguide portions confined between a pair of relatively low index cladding layers. The effective index of refraction in the axial waveguide portion of the waveguide region and the effective index of refraction in the lateral planar waveguide portions of the waveguide region are established such that the relatively low intensity laterally distributed parasitic light is characterized by a scattering angle θ that is at least as large as the beam divergence angle of the relatively high intensity light propagating in the axial waveguide portion.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to wavelength conversion devices and laser projection systems incorporating the same. According to one embodiment of the present invention, wavelength conversion devices are provided without limitation of their field of use to laser projection systems. For example, the wavelength conversion device may comprise a waveguide region comprising a relatively linear waveguide portion and a pair of lateral planar waveguide portions. The output face of the wavelength conversion device comprises a multi-component output face comprising a core portion and a pair of lateral portions. The lateral portions of the output face are configured to be relatively non-transmissive and the waveguide region is structured such that an optical signal propagating along the waveguide region will define relatively low intensity laterally distributed parasitic light in substantial alignment with the lateral planar waveguide portions along the lateral, non-transmissive portions of the output face. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
Abstract:
An optical reader system and method are described herein that can detect a lateral and/or angular misalignment of one or more biosensors so that the biosensors can be properly re-located after being removed from and then reinserted into the optical reader system. In one embodiment, the biosensors are incorporated within the wells of a microplate.
Abstract:
A method for using a double resonance effect within a grating-coupled waveguide (GCW) sensor, as generated from a light beam with a given span of wavelengths or angles, is provided. The method can be used for label-independent detection of biological and chemical agents, to interrogate biological-binding events or chemical reactions within a sensing region at increased sensitivity, and with decreased sensitivity to environmental perturbations. Also described is an optical interrogation system incorporating the method.
Abstract:
A laser projection system is provided comprising a laser source, projection optics, scanning optics, and a scanning controller. The laser source comprises at least two punctual sources P1, P2 configured to generate two optical beams. The scanning controller is configured to drive the scanning optics to define a fast scanning axis direction in which lines of an image are projected and a slow scanning axis direction in which the optical beams address successive lines of the projected image. The position of the respective punctual sources relative to each other and to an optical axis of the projection optics provides an angular misalignment of the first and second optical beams downstream of the projection optics. The respective punctual sources are positioned such that the first and second optical beams are misaligned in the slow scanning axis direction to a greater extent than in the fast scanning axis direction.
Abstract:
A multi-color laser projection system comprising a multi-color laser source, laser projection optics, an optical intensity monitor, and a projection controller is provided. The multi-color laser source is configured to generate a frequency-converted optical beam λ1, and a native frequency optical beam λ2. The laser projection optics is configured to generate a scanned laser image utilizing the frequency-converted optical beam λ1, and a native frequency laser beam λ2. The laser projection optics is configured to direct a portion of the frequency-converted optical beam λ1 to the optical intensity monitor. The projection controller is programmed to vary the intensity of the native frequency optical beam λ2 as a function of the intensity of the frequency-converted optical beam λ1. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
Abstract:
An optical reader system and method are described herein that directs a non-coherent light towards a biosensor, collects the non-coherent light which is reflected (or transmitted) from (or through) the biosensor, and then angularly filters the collected non-coherent light to obtain a narrow spectral response which can be analyzed to determine if a biological substance is located on the biosensor or if a biomolecular event took place on the biosensor.
Abstract:
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a programmable light source comprises one or more semiconductor lasers, a wavelength conversion device, and a laser controller. The controller is programmed to operate the semiconductor laser using a modulated feedback control signal. The wavelength control signal is adjusted based on the results of a comparison of a detected intensity signal with a feedback signal to align the lasing wavelength with the conversion efficiency peak of the wavelength conversion device. Laser controllers and projections systems operating according to the control concepts of the present invention are also provided.
Abstract:
Particular embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a method of fabricating a wavelength conversion device. According to the method, the wavelength conversion device is fabricated by providing a nonlinear optical material and poling the nonlinear optical material to form a plurality of periodically inverted poling domains arranged at an anti-back reflective periodicity Λ. The geometry and the anti-back reflective periodicity Λ of the poled nonlinear material are selected such that the difference between a phase matching wavelength λΦ of the poled nonlinear optical material and a Bragg wavelength λBRAGG of the poled nonlinear optical material is greater than 1 nm.