Ring amplifier for extended range steerable laser transmitter and active sensor
US10148056B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/02
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A ring amplifier amplifies one or more spot-beams that scan a circular pattern in a two-dimensional FOV to extend the range of range steerable laser transmitter or an active situational sensor. Mechanical, solid-state or optical phase array techniques may be used to scan the spot-beam(s) in the circular pattern. Mirrors are preferably positioned to redirect the spot-beams to enter and exit the ring amplifier through sidewalls to amplify the spot-beam and return it along a path to scan the circular pattern. For efficiency, the pumps and thermal control may be synchronized to the circular scan pattern to only pump and cool the section of gain medium in which the spot-beam is currently scanned and the next section of gain medium in the circular scan pattern.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.