Back to results
US 5,878,065 AGranted
Fabry-perot pulsed laser having a switchable loop reflector
AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.
InventorJean-Marc Pierre Delavaux
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a pulsed Fabry-Perot laser, such as a Q-switched laser or a mode-locked laser, one of the resonator reflectors comprises a waveguide loop coupled to the gain medium via a polarization splitter/combiner. In one embodiment, only a switchable isolator is located in the loop, thereby significantly reducing insertion loss.
Claims9
A pulsed Fabry-Perot laser comprising
- first and second reflectors forming a resonator,
- a gain medium disposed in said resonator,
- a source of pump energy coupled to said gain medium to cause said medium to generate lasing radiation,
- said first reflector comprising a waveguide loop, an optical device disposed in said loop to cause said radiation to be generated in the form of pulses, and a coupler for coupling said loop to said gain medium, characterized in that:
- said device comprises a switchable unidirectional optical device.
2 more elements
A Fabry-Perot pulsed laser comprising
- first and second reflectors forming a resonator,
- a gain medium disposed within resonator,
- a source of pumping energy coupled to said gain medium to generate lasing radiation,
- said first reflector comprising a waveguide loop,
- a polarization splitter-combiner (PSC) for coupling said loop to said gain medium, said PSC being a multi-port device having two ports coupled to said loop and one port coupled to said gain medium,
- said second reflector comprising a partially transmissive grating from which the output of said laser emerges,
- an essentially 45.degree. polarization rotator disposed between said gain medium and said second reflector,
- a switchable isolator disposed in said loop, said isolator having a first state which permits radiation to propagate in one direction in said loop and a second state which inhibits radiation from propagating in said loop, and
- a controller for switching said isolator between said states.
6 more elements
A Fabry-Perot pulsed laser comprising
- first and second reflectors forming a resonator,
- a gain medium disposed within resonator,
- a source of pumping energy coupled to said gain medium to generate lasing radiation,
- said first reflector comprising a waveguide loop,
- said second reflector comprising essentially a fully reflective grating, and
- a polarization splitter-combiner (PSC) for coupling said loop to said gain medium, said PSC being a multi-port device having two ports coupled to said loop, one port coupled to said gain medium, and one port coupled to the output of said laser,
- an essentially 45.degree. polarization rotator disposed between said gain medium and said second reflector,
- a switchable isolator disposed in said loop, said isolator having a first state which permits radiation to propagate in one direction in said loop and a second state which inhibits radiation from propagating in said loop, and
- a controller for switching said isolator between said states.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.