Wavelength locker

US7065112B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Princeton Optronics, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Chuni Ghosh · Plainsboro, US
• Laurence Watkins · Ewing Township, US
• Qing Wang · Plainsboro, US
• Raymond W. Simpson · Hamilton Square, US
• Steven R Leffler · Lawrenceville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 12, 2003
• Grant date: Jun 20, 2006
• Expiry date: Feb 4, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S3/136
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A wavelength locker comprising a semiconductor or air gap etalon is used to monitor and maintain the output wavelength of a coherent radiation source. Said etalon may be fabricated from a commercially available silicon wafer, with individual regions of the wafer, each functioning as a separate etalon, etched or otherwise processed to produce different thicknesses. Illumination by the coherent radiation source generated transmitted signal intensities that are detected and processed to determine the output wavelength of the coherent radiation source. A wavelength tuner is then used to maintain or vary the output wavelength based on continuous measurements of etalon signal intensity.