Modularized fiber optic laser system and associated optical amplification modules
US6377591B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/042
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The modularized fiber optic laser system includes at least one master oscillator for producing a master laser signal and a plurality of optical amplification modules that independently amplify portions of the master laser signal. Each optical amplification module includes a plurality of optical fiber amplifiers and at least one pump source associated with each optical fiber amplifier for pumping the respective optical fiber amplifier. The optical amplification module also includes a power source for providing power to the pump sources. Each optical amplification module preferably consumes no more than a first predetermined amount of power during operation. As such, the power source is adapted to provide at least a first predetermined amount of power without recharging and without power generation. Each optical amplification module is also designed to produce no more than a first predetermined amount of heat during operation. The optical amplification module is therefore adapted to store at least the first predetermined amount of heat such that the optical amplification module can be operated without creating a thermal signature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.