Methods and apparatus pertaining to the use and generation of broadband light
US9270080B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2012 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/3528
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A broadband light source (e.g., an optical supercontinuum apparatus), can comprise a pump laser; a non-linear optical element configured for generating spectrally broadened light generated responsive to receiving pump laser pulses and one or more non-linear processes; an optical output for delivering spectrally broadened light to a target; a length of optical waveguide optically upstream of the output and in optical communication therewith; and a sensor apparatus. The length of optical waveguide can comprise at least a first waveguiding region configured for propagating spectrally broadened light in a forward direction toward the output and can be further configured for receiving backward propagating light responsive to the forward propagating light. The sensor apparatus can be configured for optical communication with the length of optical waveguide so as to sense the backward propagating light propagated by the length of optical waveguide. Methods for operating and using such broadband light source are disclosed, as are applications of the methods and apparatus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.