Methods and apparatus for generating mid-infrared frequency combs
US11226534B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/1618
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for generating mid-IR frequency combs using intra-pulse DFG. A mode-locked pulse generation laser generates near-IR pulses which are amplified. The amplified pulses are spectrally broadened by a nonlinear element, for example a normal dispersion highly nonlinear fiber (ND-HNLF) to generate broadened pulses. The nonlinear spectral broadening element is a transparent dielectric material having a cubic nonlinear response. Broadened pulses are temporally compressed to generate short, high-power pulses which few-cycle conditioned pulses which are ready for the intrapulse DFG process. The DFG block generates a mid-IR comb by difference frequency generation. It might comprise an orientation patterned GaP (OP-GaP) crystal or a poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.