High precision wavelength monitor for tunable laser systems

US6426496B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Mark E. Froggatt · Blacksburg, US
• Brooks A. Childers · Christiansburg, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 22, 2000
• Grant date: Jul 30, 2002
• Expiry date: Nov 28, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S3/137
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A solid-state apparatus for tracking the wavelength of a laser emission has a power splitter that divides the laser emission into at least three equal components. Differing phase shifts are detected and processed to track variations of the laser emission.