Widely tunable laser
AssigneeIolon, Inc.
InventorsJohn F. Heanue, John H. Jerman, Jeffrey P. Wilde
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A Fabry-Perot laser and a micro-actuator are utilized to provide continuous tuning over a range of wavelengths.
Claims19
A tunable single mode laser microassembly operable over a range of wavelengths comprising a source for providing a light along an optical path with any wavelength from the range of wavelengths, a diffractive element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the source by a first distance to redirect the light, a reflective element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the diffractive element by a second distance to receive the redirected light from the diffractive element and to redirect the light back towards the diffractive element, the light being redirected by the diffractive element back towards the source, and a micro-dimensioned actuator coupled to one of the diffractive element and the reflective element for causing angular movement of such element to permit selection of a single wavelength from the range of wavelengths by altering the optical path of the light.
A tunable laser comprising source means for providing a light along an optical path with any wavelength selected from a bandwidth of wavelengths, a diffractive element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the source by a first distance to redirect the light, a reflective element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the diffractive element by a second distance to receive the redirected light from the diffractive element and to redirect the light back towards the diffractive element, the light being redirected by the diffractive element back towards the source, and a micro-machined actuator for selecting the wavelength from the bandwidth of wavelengths by altering the optical path of the light between the diffractive element and the reflective element, the actuator having a substrate as a base and a movable micro-machined structure overlying the substrate.
A method for using a tunable single mode laser microassembly to provide light with any wavelength selected from a range of wavelengths, comprising the steps of providing the light along an optical path, providing a diffractive element in the optical path to diffract the light, providing a reflective element in the optical path to reflect the light and selecting a single wavelength of light by altering the optical path of the light by means of a micro-machined actuator coupled to the reflective element for causing angular movement of the reflective element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.