External cavity laser with a phase shifter
US11581703B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 2020 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/021
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods described herein are directed to optical light sources, such as an external cavity laser (ECL) with an active phase shifter. The system may include control circuitry for controlling one or more parameters associated with the active phase shifter. The phase shifter may be a p-i-n phase shifter. The control circuitry may cause variation in a refractive index associated with the phase shifter, thereby varying a lasing frequency of the ECL. The ECL may be configured to operate as a light source for a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system based on generating frequency modulated light signals. In some embodiments, the ECL may generate an output LIDAR signal with alternating segments of increasing and decreasing chirp frequencies. The ECL may exhibit increased stability and improved chirp linearities with less dependence on ambient temperature fluctuations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.