Refractive index matching means coupled to an optical fiber for eliminating spurious light

A system for propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• an optical element disposed between the laser source and the information storage location for transmitting the light signal;
• a refractive index matching means coupled to the optical element for compensating the light signal for the effects of at least one spurious reflection;
• and
• a controller coupled to the laser source for modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein the index matching means comprises a gradient index (GRIN) lens disposed between the laser source and a launch end of the optical element, the GRIN lens being coupled to the optical element so as to leave a gap between an inside surface of the GRIN lens and the launch end, and a cover slip disposed in the gap, the cover slip being coupled to the launch end and having a refractive index approximately equal to a refractive index of the optical element.

A system for propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• an optical element disposed between the laser source and the information storage location for transmitting the light signal;
• a refractive index matching means coupled to the optical element for compensating the light signal for the effects of at least one spurious reflection;
• and
• a controller coupled to the laser source for modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein the index matching means comprises a glass plate disposed between a head end of the optical element and the information storage location so as to leave a gap between the glass plate and the head end, and an index matching material disposed in the gap, the index matching material having a refractive index approximately equal to a refractive index of the optical element.

A system for propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• an optical element disposed between the laser source and the information storage location for transmitting the light signal;
• a refractive index matching means coupled to the optical element for compensating the light signal for the effects of at least one spurious reflection;
• and
• a controller coupled to the laser source for modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein the particular frequency is determined by the equation F=c(2i+1)/4Ln, wherein c is the speed of light in a vacuum, L is a length of the optical element, n is a refractive index of the optical element, and i is an integer having a value of at least zero.

A system for propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• an optical element disposed between the laser source and the information storage location for transmitting the light signal;
• an optical fiber splicing means coupled to the optical element for compensating the light signal for the effects from at least one spurious reflection;
• and
• a controller means coupled to the laser source for modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein the fiber splicing means comprises a coreless fiber section having a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the optical element, the coreless fiber section being coupled to the optical element and disposed between a head end of the optical element and the information storage location, wherein the length of the coreless fiber section is such that the radius of the light signal when exiting an outer face of the coreless fiber section is approximately less than the diameter of the coreless fiber section, and wherein the coreless fiber section has a refractive index approximately equal to a refractive index of the optical element.

A system for propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• an optical element disposed between the laser source and the information storage location for transmitting the light signal;
• an optical fiber splicing means coupled to the optical element for compensating the light signal for the effects from at least one spurious reflection;
• and
• a controller means coupled to the laser source for modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein the particular frequency is determined by the equation F=c(2i+1)/4Ln, wherein c is the speed of light in a vacuum, L is a length of the optical element, n is a refractive index of the optical element, and i is an integer having a value of at least zero.

A method of propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• transmitting the light signal across an optical element;
• compensating the light signal for the effects from at least one spurious reflection from the optical element via refractive index matching;
• and
• modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein the step of compensating the light signal from at least one spurious reflection comprises focusing the light signal into a launch end of the optical element via a gradient index (GRIN) lens through an index matching material having a refractive index approximately equal to a refractive index of the optical element.

A method of propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• transmitting the light signal across an optical element;
• compensating the light signal for the effects from at least one spurious reflection from the optical element via refractive index matching;
• and
• modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein the step of compensating the light signal from at least one spurious reflection comprises focusing the light signal into a launch end of the optical element via a gradient index (GRIN) lens through a cover slip having a refractive index approximately equal to a refractive index of the optical element.

A method of propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• transmitting the light signal across an optical element;
• compensating the light signal for the effects from at least one spurious reflection from the optical element via refractive index matching;
• and
• modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein step of compensating the light signal from at least one spurious reflection comprises, upon the light signal exiting a head end of the optical element, passing the light signal through an index matching material having a refractive index approximately equal to a refractive index of the optical element.

A method of propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• transmitting the light signal across an optical element;
• compensating the light signal for the effects from at least one spurious reflection from the optical element via refractive index matching;
• and
• modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein the particular frequency is determined by the equation F=c(2i+1)/4Ln, wherein c is the speed of light in a vacuum, L is a length of the optical element, n is a refractive index of the optical element, and i is an integer having a value of at least zero.

A method of propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• transmitting the light signal across an optical element;
• compensating the light signal for the effects from at least one spurious reflection from the optical element via optical fiber splicing;
• and
• modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein step of compensating the light signal from at least one spurious reflection comprises coupling a coreless fiber section having a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the optical element, the coreless fiber section being disposed between a head end of the optical element and the information storage location, wherein the length of the coreless fiber section is such that the radius of the light signal when exiting an outer face of the coreless fiber section is approximately less than the diameter of the coreless fiber section, and wherein the coreless fiber section has a refractive index approximately equal to a refractive index of the optical element.

A method of propagating a light signal between a laser source and an information storage location comprising:

• transmitting the light signal across an optical element;
• compensating the light signal for the effects from at least one spurious reflection from the optical element via optical fiber splicing;
• and
• modulating the laser source at a particular frequency in order to reduce interference between the light signal and the at least one spurious reflection;
• wherein the particular frequency is determined by the equation F=c(2i+1)/4Ln, wherein c is the speed of light in a vacuum, L is a length of the optical element, n is a refractive index of the optical element, and i is an integer having a value of at least zero.