Interferometric ring lasers and optical devices
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsJohn P. Hohimer, David C. Craft
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Abstract
Two ring diode lasers are optically coupled together to produce tunable, stable output through a Y-junction output coupler which may also be a laser diode or can be an active waveguide. These devices demonstrate a sharp peak in light output with an excellent side-mode-rejection ratio. The rings can also be made of passive or active waveguide material. With additional rings the device is a tunable optical multiplexer/demultiplexer.
Claims18
An interferometric ring cavity optical waveguide apparatus comprising first and second ring cavities which are optically coupled for a portion of their lengths, means to provide input light into the first and second ring cavities, and means to transmit light out of the apparatus, wherein at least one of the ring cavities comprises lasing means.
An interferometric ring cavity optical waveguide apparatus comprising first and second ring cavities which are optically coupled for a portion of their lengths, means to provide input light into the first and second ring cavities, and means to transmit light out of the apparatus, wherein at least one of the ring cavities comprises a semiconductor active gain material.
An interferometric ring cavity waveguide apparatus comprising first and second ring cavities, at least one of which comprises laser diode means, which are optically coupled for a portion of their lengths and formed on a substrate and light output means coupled to one of the ring cavities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.