Filament-based, optical detection apparatus
US6314122A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/2036
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optical detection apparatus comprises a solid state laser having an intracavity optical waveguide that supports a lasing filament and operates in one of two states: (1) in a first state, the filament is fixed in one of two orientations, and (2) in a second state, the filament may be induced to switch or oscillate between the two orientations, or it may be suppressed altogether. At least one feature is located on the output facet off-center with respect to the waveguide cross-section in order to provide a preferred orientation for the filament. In one embodiment, a single feature is located off-center and optical radiation of one intensity is injected through the facet feature, thereby causing the laser to operate in one of its states, whereas injected radiation of another intensity causes the laser to operate in the other of its states. The injected radiation may be radiation emitted by the laser that is reflected by an object (e.g., a bit mark in an optical storage medium or a region of an integrated circuit being viewed under an optical microscope) proximate the facet feature (e.g., in the laser near-field). Alternatively, the injected radiation may originate from a transmitter i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.