Patent · US Expired

Liquid crystal polymer optical filter carrier

US7280181B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
17References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 2005
Grant dateOct 9, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 1, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S5/02492
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An external cavity laser apparatus includes a wavelength tuning element mounted to a carrier on the apparatus's platform. Thermal control of the platform sets an initial position of the carrier and tuning element, from which independent tuning of the element can be achieved for wavelength tuning. The carrier is formed of a liquid crystal polymer that thermally isolates the tuning element from this platform, for such independent thermo-optical tuning. The liquid crystal polymer may match the coefficient of thermal expansion of the carrier to that of the platform. The support further includes embedded electrodes, either within or on the outer surface of the carrier, which can couple from the tuning element to the controller, where in some examples such coupling is direct and without use of additional electrical traces or wire bonds.

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