Patent · US Expired

Tunable laser system having an adjustable external cavity

US6690690B2 · kind B2 · utility

16Cited by
24References
57Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 27, 2003
Grant dateFeb 10, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 27, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S5/0617
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A wavelength tuning system adjusts an external cavity of a laser about two orthogonal axes for aligning features of a diffractive optic with a third orthogonal axis about which the diffractive optic is pivoted for providing selected wavelength feedback to the laser. A laser mount supports the laser, and a mounting arm supports both the diffractive optic and a reflective optic in a fixed orientation with respect to each other. A flexural member forms at least part of a connection between the mounting arm and the laser mount in a relative orientation for optically coupling the diffractive optic to the laser within the external cavity. The mounting arm is pivoted with respect to the laser mount about the pivot axis by an actuator for varying a wavelength of a diffracted portion of the output beam returned to the laser without significantly varying an angular orientation of the output beam with respect to the laser mount as reflected from the reflective optic.

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