Methods of driving laser diodes, optical wavelength sweeping apparatus, and optical measurement systems
AssigneeUniversity of Maribor
InventorsMatej Njegovec, Denis Donlagic
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical wavelength sweeping apparatus having a laser diode with an active region, and a coupled pulse generator is disclosed. The pulse generator is configured and operable to provide current drive pulses of relatively short duration and high amplitude to the laser diode to selectively and rapidly heat the active region and the immediate vicinity and produce a rapid wavelength sweep of emitted optical radiation. Methods of driving a laser diode, and measurement systems are disclosed, as are other aspects.
Claims36
A method of driving a laser diode, comprising:
- providing a laser diode having an active region;
- and
- selectively and rapidly heating the active region and an immediate vicinity by applying current pulses to perform a wavelength sweep of emitted optical radiation.
An optical wavelength sweeping apparatus, comprising:
- a laser diode having an active region and an immediate vicinity;
- and
- a pulse generator coupled to the laser diode configured and operable to provide current drive pulses to the laser diode to selectively and rapidly heat the active region and the immediate vicinity and produce a wavelength sweep of emitted optical radiation.
An optical measurement system, comprising:
- a laser diode having an the active region and an immediate vicinity;
- a pulse generator coupled to the laser diode configured and operable to provide current drive pulses to the laser diode to selectively and rapidly heat the active region and the immediate vicinity to produce a wavelength sweep of emitted optical radiation;
- an optical diverter coupled to the laser diode;
- an optical sensor coupled to the optical diverter;
- and
- an observation device coupled to the optical diverter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.