High-powered, spectrally flat, very broadband optical source including optical coupler and method using same
US5109447A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4239
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A broadband optical source with a flat spectral output and high output power for use in a fiber optic sensor interface system. The broadband optical source comprises N optical sources such as LEDs, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. The N optical sources output a plurality of optical signals having center wavelengths .lambda.i, spectral widths .DELTA..lambda.i and powers Pi, where i is a positive integer corresponding to each of the N optical sources. The broadband LED source also comprises a waveguide coupler for receiving and combining said plurality of optical signals and for outputting a broadband optical signal. The broadband LED source outputs extremely spectrally flat, broadband signals when the center wavelengths .lambda.i are separated by approximately 2/3 of the spectral widths .DELTA..lambda.i.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.