Laser with electrically-controlled grating reflector
AssigneeDeacon Research
InventorsDavid A. G. Deacon, Simon J. Field, Michael J. Brinkman, William K. Bischel
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Abstract
One or more lasers are combined with optical energy transfer devices and energy guiding devices which use an electric field for control. The optical energy transfer devices may form gratings, mirrors, lenses and the like using a class of poled structures in solid material. The poled structures may be combined with waveguide structures. Electric fields applied to the poled structures control routing, reflection and refraction of optical energy. Adjustable tunability is obtained by a poled structure which produces a spatial gradient in a variable index of refraction along an axis in the presence of a variable electric field.
Claims22
A laser comprising:
- a solid material for passing optical energy;
- at least a first electrically-conductive material forming a first electrode, said first electrode confronting said solid material and bridging at least two elements of an electrically-controllable grating structure in said solid material;
- an optical amplifier disposed along an optical axis, said optical axis traversing said solid material, said at least two elements being disposed transverse of said optical axis;
- and
- an optical coupling means disposed between said solid material and said optical amplifier along said optical axis.
A laser comprising:
- a solid material for passing optical energy;
- an input waveguide in said solid material;
- a base reflector disposed along an optical axis;
- a plurality of output waveguides encountering said input waveguide at intersection regions along said input waveguide;
- a plurality of electrically-switchable beam redirectors disposed along said input waveguide at said intersection regions, each one of said electrically-switchable beam redirectors comprising a first electrically-conductive material forming a first electrode, said first electrode confronting said solid material and bridging at least one electrically-active element in said solid material;
- a plurality of gratings disposed along said output waveguides defining electrically-selectable retroreflectors further defining cavities between said base reflectors and said gratings;
- an optical amplifier disposed along an optical axis, said optical axis traversing said solid material;
- and
- an optical coupling means disposed between said solid material and said optical amplifier along said optical axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.