Apparatus and method for providing optical radiation
US10511141B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/03
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for providing optical radiation (1), which apparatus comprises a laser diode (2), a pulse generator (9), and a modulator (5), wherein: the pulse generator (9) is configured to emit picosecond pulses; the modulator (5) is configured to emit nanosecond pulses; the laser diode (2) has a first terminal (6) and a second terminal (7); the pulse generator (9) is connected to the first terminal (6); and the modulator (5) is configured to bias the laser diode (2) below a lasing threshold (8) of the laser diode (2), and the apparatus being characterized in that: the modulator (5) is connected to the second terminal (7); the pulse generator (9) comprises a semiconductor junction (32) connected to a differentiator (4); the semiconductor junction (32) is such that electric current flowing through the semiconductor junction (32) can be turned off more quickly than it can be turned on; and the differentiator (4) is such that a step change that occurs when the electric current flowing through the semiconductor junction (32) is turned off is converted to an electrical pulse, thereby gain switching the laser diode (2) such that it emits an optical pulse (10) having an optical pulse width (…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.