US 2004/0170209 A1 · Laser source with high relative feedback and method for making such a laser source

Abstract

The invention relates to the stabilization of high power semiconductor laser diode sources as they are extensively used in the field of optical communication. Such lasers are mostly employed as so-called pump laser sources for fiber amplifiers, e.g. erbium-doped fiber amplifiers, and are designed to provide a narrow-bandwidth optical radiation with a stable power output in a given frequency band. To improve the wavelength locking range of such laser sources when operating without an active temperature stabilizing element, an external reflector providing very high relative feedback is used. The reflectivity bandwidth of the external reflector is broadened for improving the stability of the laser source. In commonly employed optical fibers for conducting the laser beam, the external reflector is formed by one or a plurality of appropriately designed fiber Bragg gratings.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A high power laser source for generating a stable exit beam at a given wavelength, said laser source comprising a laser diode and guide means for conducting a laser beam, said laser diode including a reflecting front facet and said guide means including at least one reflector, wherein

said reflector has a reflectivity RFBG, centered at the desired wavelength of said exit beam,
said front facet has a reflectivity RF towards said guide means,
said reflectivities RFBG and RF being selected to achieve a predetermined relative feedback
rFB=k*RFBG/RF>1,
k being a factor determined by the coupling efficiency within said guide means.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Laser source with high relative feedback and method for making such a laser source

Life of this patent

Laser source with high relative feedback and method for making such a laser source

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30