Method and apparatus for controlling lasers
US4748632A · kind A · utility
36Cited by
10References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1983 |
| Grant date | May 31, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/06837
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling an external cavity of a semiconductor laser to maintain its emission in a single longitudinal mode. The length of the external cavity is varied by an electromagnet acting on ferromagnetic material attached to a copper foil reflector. Total optical power output of the laser is monitored and single longitudinal mode operation is achieved by maximizing the power output. An active technique employs modulation of the reflector position about a mean value. The magnetic manipulation of the reflector may find application in other laser systems, e.g. gas lasers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.