Managing optical power in a laser
US11817673B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 2022 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/02
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A gain medium is pumped by a source. An optical wave passes through a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that comprises: a substrate comprising silicon, multiple photonic structures, an input port coupling an optical wave into a waveguide formed in the PIC, and an output port coupling an optical wave out of a waveguide formed in the PIC. Propagation of an optical wave circulating around a closed path of a laser ring cavity is limited using an optical isolator such that, when the pump source exceeds a lasing threshold, the optical wave propagates in a single direction through the gain medium and PIC. From an output coupler, an output is provided that comprises a fraction (e.g., >0.5) of the power of an optical wave that is incident upon the output coupler, and remaining power of the optical wave is redirected around the closed path of the laser ring cavity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.