Multi-wavelength laser source
AssigneeUniversite Laval
InventorsSerge Doucet, Sophie Larochelle, Radan Slavik, Isabelle Castonguay
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Abstract
A multi-wavelength laser source is provided including a pump laser unit, a gain section and an output. The pump laser unit generates an energy signal, which is applied to the gain section. The gain section includes a gain medium with having a superstructure grating forming a distributed Fabry-Perot-like structure. The superstructure grating causes a multi-wavelength laser signal to be generated when the energy signal is applied to the gain medium. The multi-wavelength laser signal is then released at the output.
Claims55
A multi-wavelength laser source comprising:
- a) an input for receiving an energy signal;
- b) a gain section in communication with said input, said gain section including a homogeneously broadened gain medium comprising rare-earth doped fiber having a superstructure grating, said superstructure grating comprising a first grating segment and a second grating segment superposed at least in part on said first grating segment to form at least three cavities, each of said cavities occupying a portion of said doped fiber that is unoccupied by any other one of said cavities such that, when the energy signal is applied to said gain section:
- different laser wavelengths resonate in respective ones of said cavities;
- and
- said gain section generates a multi-wavelength laser signal exhibiting the laser wavelengths;
- and
- c) an output for emitting the multi-wavelength laser signal.
A method for generating a multi-wavelength laser signal, said method comprising:
- a) receiving an energy signal;
- b) providing a gain section including a homogeneously broadened gain medium comprising rare-earth doped fiber having a superstructure grating, said superstructure grating comprising a first grating segment and a second grating segment superposed at least in part on said first grating segment to form at least three cavities, each of said cavities occupying a portion of said doped fiber that is unoccupied by any other one of said cavities such that, when the energy signal is applied to said gain section, different laser wavelengths resonate in respective ones of said cavities;
- and
- c) applying the energy signal to said gain section to generate a multi-wavelength laser signal exhibiting the laser wavelengths.
A multi-wavelength laser source comprising:
- a) a pump laser unit adapted for generating an energy signal;
- b) a gain section including a homogeneously broadened gain medium comprising rare-earth doped fiber having a superstructure grating, said superstructure grating comprising a first grating segment and a second grating segment superposed at least in part on said first grating segment to form at least three cavities, each of said cavities occupying a portion of said doped fiber that is unoccupied by any other one of said cavities such that, when the energy signal is applied to said gain section:
- different laser wavelengths resonate in respective ones of said cavities;
- and
- said gain section generates a multi-wavelength laser signal exhibiting the laser wavelengths;
- and
- c) an output for emitting the multi-wavelength laser signal.
A multi-wavelength laser source comprising:
- a) an input for receiving an energy signal;
- b) a gain section in communication with said input, said gain section including a homogeneously broadened gain medium comprising rare-earth doped fiber having a superstructure grating, said superstructure grating forming at least three cavities, each of said cavities occupying a portion of said doped fiber that is unoccupied by any other one of said cavities such that, when the energy signal is applied to said gain section:
- different laser wavelengths resonate in respective ones of said cavities;
- and
- said gain section generates a multi-wavelength laser signal exhibiting the laser wavelengths;
- and
- c) an output for emitting the multi-wavelength laser signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.