Jianping Zhou

Title: Innovations of Jianping Zhou

Introduction

Jianping Zhou is a notable inventor based in Palo Alto, California, recognized for his contributions to optical technologies. He holds two patents that showcase his expertise in developing advanced optical systems.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is the "Broadly Tunable Optical Parametric Oscillator." This invention describes a novel optical parametric oscillator designed for various applications, including multi-photon microscopy. The oscillator features at least one sub-picosecond laser pump source that outputs a pump signal with a wavelength of about 650 nm or less. It also includes a type II optical parametric oscillator in optical communication with the pump source, generating a single widely tunable pulsed optical signal. In practical applications, an optical system is connected to the oscillator, directing part of the optical signal to a specimen, while an analyzing device receives the signal from the specimen in response to the optical signal.

Another significant patent is the "Low-Gain Regenerative Amplifier System." This system is optimized for low-gain media and is designed to minimize the number of intra-cavity elements while preventing the leakage of seed pulses from the output beam. The system enhances the contrast ratio of amplified pulses, even with the long build-up time typical of low-gain regenerative amplifiers. This is achieved by using a single Pockels cell between the oscillator and amplifier to select a single seed pulse for the cavity, rather than employing a Faraday isolator. The amplified pulse is directed away from the oscillator by the same Pockels cell, requiring only one additional Pockels cell and one polarizer within the regenerative amplifier cavity.

Career Highlights

Jianping Zhou has worked with prominent companies in the optical field, including Newport Corporation and Spectra-Physics GmbH. His experience in these organizations has contributed to his innovative work in optical technologies.

Collaborations

Some of his notable coworkers include James D. Kafka and Ching-Yuan Chien, who have collaborated with him on various projects.

Conclusion

Jianping Zhou's contributions to optical technology through his patents and career highlights demonstrate his significant impact in the field. His innovative work continues to influence advancements in optical systems and applications.