Patent · US Expired

Array of diffraction limited lasers and method of aligning same

US5212707A · kind A · utility

51Cited by
8References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 6, 1991
Grant dateMay 18, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 6, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S359/90
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A one-dimensional semiconductor laser array assembly typically comprising a one-dimensional semiconductor laser array, a heatsink upon which the laser array is bonded, and a lens assembly. The one-dimensional semiconductor laser array consists of a plurality of emitters with each emitter electrically connected in parallel to a power supply. The bonding agent, typically silver epoxy, must be of a uniform thickness so that the laser array is aligned properly upon the heatsink. The lens assembly is typically comprised of a refractive lens, typically of a bi-convex design, and a one-dimensional array of binary optical elements. The one-dimensional array of binary optical elements is designed such that each element has a front surface having a binary optic diffractive element etched thereon. The refractive lens and the one-dimensional array of binary optical elements are aligned and held in place by means of ears protruding from the heatsink. There is also provided by this invention a two-dimensional semiconductor laser array assembly consisting of a plurality of one-dimensional semiconductor laser array assemblies positioned substantially parallel to one another, within a clamping fixt…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.