Laser with coupled optical waveguides
US5311540A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 10, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/4025
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention relates to lasers, and more particularly to solid state lasers such as neodymium on lithium niobate crystal lasers. The invention provides a structure with several juxtaposed optical waveguides (12) sufficiently close to each other laterally to be coupled laterally. In order to take into account the risks of inhomogeneity in the refractive indices or inaccuracies in the dimensions which would alter the distribution of the electromagnetic field of the propagation supermode in the coupled structure, it is proposed to act on the value of the index of propagation in each guide using an individual control (generally electrical). Because of the variation in index, individually controlled, phase differences in the laser wave between the different guides are produced and these phase differences react on the composition of the electromagnetic field defining the supermode. It is possible to go as far as modifying the directivity of the laser beam by this electrical control. The control is preferably achieved by electrodes (14) placed in the vicinity of each guide. The guides are made of an electro-optical material such as lithium niobate, and neodymium doping, for example, allo…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.