Widely tunable short cavity laser
US9997891B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tunable source includes a short-cavity laser optimized for performance and reliability in SSOCT imaging systems, spectroscopic detection systems, and other types of detection and sensing systems. The short cavity laser has a large free spectral range cavity, fast tuning response and single transverse, longitudinal and polarization mode operation, and includes embodiments for fast and wide tuning, and optimized spectral shaping. Disclosed are both electrical and optical pumping in a MEMS-VCSEL geometry with mirror and gain regions optimized for wide tuning, high output power, and a variety of preferred wavelength ranges; and a semiconductor optical amplifier, combined with the short-cavity laser to produce high-power, spectrally shaped operation. Several preferred imaging and detection systems make use of this tunable source for optimized operation are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.