公开(公告)号：US20230349754A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-02

申请号：US18138485

申请日：2023-04-24

Applicant: NLIGHT, INC.

Inventor： Scott R. Karlsen ,  David R. Balsley ,  Nicolas Trent Meacham ,  Austin Hagarty ,  Dahv A.V. Kliner

IPC: G01J1/42 ,  G01J1/04

CPC classification number: G01J1/4257 ,  G01J1/0437 ,  G01J1/0414

Abstract: Some embodiments may include a power monitor to measure power of laser light propagating in a core of an optical fiber; the power monitor to generate a sensor signal using an optical sensor having a light sensitive section with no line of sight to part of the optical fiber; wherein the sensor signal is derived from light emerging laterally from the part of the optical fiber. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

公开(公告)号：US20230204724A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-29

申请号：US18176258

申请日：2023-02-28

Applicant: nLIGHT, Inc.

Inventor： Bodo SCHMIDT

IPC: G01S7/48 ,  G01S7/487

CPC classification number: G01S7/4804 ,  G01S7/487

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed for reducing interference between an active illumination device and external radiation sources, for example, other active illumination devices operating within the vicinity. A disclosed system includes one or more active illumination devices, each configured to emit an illumination signal and also to receive a returned portion of its respective illumination signal with at least one sensor. At least one of the active illumination devices is capable of detecting interference caused by an external source, for example, an illumination signal emitted from another active illumination device. As a result of detecting the interference, the receiving active illumination device changes the timing of its subsequent illumination signals and sensor operation. By detecting collisions between illumination signals and consequently altering the timing of it operation, the active illumination device may reduce interference in congested environments where multiple active illumination devices are operating within range of each other.

公开(公告)号：US11627300B2

公开(公告)日：2023-04-11

申请号：US17130507

申请日：2020-12-22

Applicant: NLIGHT, INC.

Inventor： Paul S. Banks

IPC: H04N13/00 ,  G01S5/14 ,  H04N13/254 ,  H04N13/204 ,  H04N13/207 ,  H04N13/296 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S17/10 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01S7/486 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  G01S17/894 ,  G01S17/89

Abstract: Systems and methods for three-dimensional imaging are disclosed. A three-dimensional imaging system may include a light source to emit a light pulse. The divergence of the light pulse may be configurable by the system. For example, the system may also include a receiving lens having a field of view and configured to receive a portion of the light pulse reflected or scattered by a scene. The system may configure the light source so that the divergence of the light pulse matches or approximates the field of view of the receiving lens.

公开(公告)号：US11498155B2

公开(公告)日：2022-11-15

申请号：US16745242

申请日：2020-01-16

Applicant: nLIGHT, Inc.

Inventor： Scott R. Karlsen ,  Robert J. Martinsen

IPC: B23K26/03

Abstract: A scanned optical beam is divided so as to form a set of scanned subbeams. To compensate for scan errors, a portion of at least one subbeam is detected and a scan error estimated based on the detected portion. A beam scanner is controlled according to the estimated error so as to adjust a propagation direction of some or all of the set of scanned subbeams. The scanned subbeams with adjusted propagation directions are received by an f-theta lens and directed to a work piece. In typical examples, the portion of the at least one subbeam that is detected is obtained from the set of scanned subbeams prior to incidence of the scanned subbeams to the f-theta lens.

公开(公告)号：US20220337023A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-20

申请号：US17633198

申请日：2020-08-05

Applicant: nLIGHT, Inc.

Inventor： Dahv A.V. Kliner

IPC: H01S3/106 ,  H01S3/067 ,  G02F1/01

Abstract: Systems and methods for temporal amplitude modulation of an optical beam. An exemplary system may include a birefringent fiber positioned between two polarizers, or between a polarized input light source and an output polarizer. Light may enter the birefringent fiber as linearly polarized. Depending on birefringence and orientation of the birefringent fiber, the polarization state changes as the light propagates through the birefringent fiber. This changed polarization state then enters the output polarizer, for which transmission is a function of the polarization state and the relative orientation of the polarization axis. The polarization state emerging from the birefringent fiber may be changed by modulating the fiber birefringence, for example through application of an external stress. Net transmittance of the system may be varied according to a magnitude of an external force (e.g., pressure) to some or all of the birefringent fiber.

公开(公告)号：US20220221663A1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-14

申请号：US17613926

申请日：2020-06-04

Applicant: NLIGHT, INC.

Inventor： Dahv A.V. KLINER ,  C. Geoffrey FANNING

IPC: G02B6/42 ,  H01S3/0941 ,  G02B6/036 ,  H01S3/00 ,  H01S3/094

Abstract: A laser assembly comprising a multi-clad fiber optically coupled to a light source configured to emit optical radiation at a first wavelength and a protective element disposed between the light source and the multi-clad fiber so as to prevent a portion of backward-propagating optical radiation at a second wavelength from coupling into the light source.

公开(公告)号：US20220190545A1

公开(公告)日：2022-06-16

申请号：US17687575

申请日：2022-03-04

Applicant: NLight, Inc.

Inventor： Manoj Kanskar ,  Jiamin Zhang

IPC: H01S3/067 ,  H01S3/23 ,  H01S5/065 ,  H01S3/10 ,  H01S3/094 ,  G02B6/02 ,  G02B6/24

Abstract: In an example, a tandem pumped fiber amplifier may include a seed laser, a first section coupled to an output of the seed laser, and a second section coupled to an output of the first section. The first section may operate as an oscillator, and may receive pump light from one or more diode pumps, and may the first section may be arranged to convert the one or more diode pumps into a tandem pump. The second section may operate as a power amplifier, and may include a length of a single or plural active core fiber. The tandem pumped fiber amplifier may be arranged to mitigate spectral broadening related to four-wave mixing.

公开(公告)号：US11331756B2

公开(公告)日：2022-05-17

申请号：US16569403

申请日：2019-09-12

Applicant: nLIGHT, Inc.

Inventor： Robert J. Martinsen ,  Qi Wang

IPC: B23K26/34 ,  B23K26/342 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B22F10/20 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B23K26/082 ,  G02B26/08 ,  G02B26/10 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B22F10/30 ,  H01S3/067 ,  H01S3/16 ,  H01S3/17

Abstract: Methods include directing a laser beam to a target along a scan path at a variable scan velocity and adjusting a digital modulation during movement of the laser beam along the scan path and in relation to the variable scan velocity so as to provide a fluence at the target within a predetermined fluence range along the scan path. Some methods include adjusting a width of the laser beam with a zoom beam expander. Apparatus include a laser source situated to emit a laser beam, a 3D scanner situated to receive the laser beam and to direct the laser beam along a scan path in a scanning plane at the target, and a laser source digital modulator coupled to the laser source so as to produce a fluence at the scanning plane along the scan path that is in a predetermined fluence range as the laser beam scan speed changes along the scan path.

公开(公告)号：US20220077657A1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-10

申请号：US17419055

申请日：2019-12-20

Applicant: NLIGHT, INC.

Inventor： Manoj KANSKAR ,  Zhigang CHEN

IPC: H01S5/20 ,  H01S5/042 ,  H01S5/34

Abstract: A laser diode, comprising a transverse waveguide comprising an active layer between an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer wherein the transverse waveguide is bounded by a lower index n-cladding layer on an n-side of the transverse waveguide and a lower index p-cladding layer on a p-side of the transverse waveguide a cavity that is orthogonal to the transverse waveguide, wherein the cavity is bounded in a longitudinal direction at a first end by a high reflector (HR) facet and at a second end by a partial reflector (PR) facet, and a first contact layer electrically coupled to the waveguide and configured to vary an amount of current injected into the waveguide in the longitudinal direction so as to inject more current near the HR facet than at the PR facet.

公开(公告)号：US20220075121A1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-10

申请号：US17417729

申请日：2019-12-19

Applicant: nLIGHT, Inc.

Inventor： Tyson L. Lowder ,  Dahv A.V. Kliner ,  C. Geoffrey Fanning

IPC: G02B6/34

Abstract: Optical fiber devices, systems, and methods for coupling Raman spectrum out of an optical fiber selectively over a signal spectrum, which may be propagated in one or more guided modes of a fiber system. A fiber system may include a chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG) or a long period fiber grating (LPFG), each to unguide Raman light propagating in a core propagation mode of a fiber completely out of the fiber (through any surrounding cladding layer(s)) selectively over signal spectrum which is to remain in a guided mode of the fiber.