Abstract:
Alignment of a laser apparatus is achieved by actively aligning components of the laser apparatus and then passively deriving an optical axis from that alignment. This passive derivation can be achieved by identifying features of an actively aligned optical element, deriving positional data for those features, and developing an optical axis from that positional data. The derivation of positional data may be performed over a particular coordinate system of an image taken of the feature, e.g., obtained by a vision system. The positional data and optical axis may be extrapolated out to a reference coordinate system for use in passively aligning other optical elements.
Abstract:
Alignment of a laser apparatus is achieved by actively aligning components of the laser apparatus and then passively deriving an optical axis from that alignment. This passive derivation can be achieved by identifying features of an actively aligned optical element, deriving positional data for those features, and developing an optical axis from that positional data. The derivation of positional data may be performed over a particular coordinate system of an image taken of the feature, e.g., obtained by a vision system. The positional data and optical axis may be extrapolated out to a reference coordinate system for use in passively aligning other optical elements.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a gain medium for an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) includes a gain section to provide a gain operation on optical energy in the ECDL that is controlled by a first electrical signal, a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) section disposed adjacent to the gain section to amplify the gained optical energy responsive to a second electrical signal, and a trench disposed between the gain section and the SOA section to act as an integrated mirror. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
Abstract:
Semi-integrated external cavity diode laser (ECDL) (300A) designs including integrated structures (302A) comprising a gain section (400), phase control section (402), and optional modulator section (404). Each integrated structure includes a waveguide (406) that passes through each of the sections. A mirror (408) is defined in the structure to define one end of a laser cavity. A reflective element (314) is disposed generally opposite a rear facet (410) of the gain section (400), forming an external cavity therebetween. A tunable filter (310) is disposed in the external cavity to effectuate tuning of the laser. During operation, a modulated drive signal (332) is provided to the phase control section (402). This modulates an optical path length of the laser cavity, which produces an intensity (amplitude) modulation in the laser output. A detector is employed to produce a feedback signal indicative of the intensity modulation that is used for tuning the laser in accordance with a wavelength locking servo loop. Upon passing through the modulator section (404), an optical signal is modulated with data (722).
Abstract:
Alignment of a laser apparatus is achieved by actively aligning components of the laser apparatus and then passively deriving an optical axis from that alignment. This passive derivation can be achieved by identifying features of an actively aligned optical element, deriving positional data for those features, and developing an optical axis from that positional data. The derivation of positional data may be performed over a particular coordinate system of an image taken of the feature, e.g., obtained by a vision system. The positional data and optical axis may be extrapolated out to a reference coordinate system for use in passively aligning other optical elements.
Abstract:
An optical information medium comprising at least two data layers (DL-1, DL-2) for bearing recorded information, and a servo layer (SL) for bearing tracking servo information which is independently formed from the data layers (DL-1, DL-2); wherein the medium is used with a recording or reading system wherein a data beam for recording or reading the data in the data layer (DL-1 or DL-2) and a servo beam for reading the tracking servo information in the servo layer (SL) are used, and the servo layer (SL) is read by the servo beam that had passed through the data layer (LD-1, LD-2); and a filter layer (FL) is disposed between the data layer (DL-2) and the servo layer (SL); and the filter layer (FL) exhibits higher absorption to the data beam than to the servo beam.