John D Minelly

Title: John D. Minelly: Innovator in Optical Technology and Underwater Communication

Introduction

John D. Minelly, an accomplished inventor based in Bothell, Washington, holds an impressive portfolio of 15 patents. His innovative work primarily revolves around optical technology and its applications in communication and imaging.

Latest Patents

Among his latest patents, Minelly has developed a frequency quadrupled laser utilizing a thulium-doped fiber amplifier. This invention presents a methodology and apparatus for generating blue laser light by frequency quadrupling infrared (IR) light. The design features a fiber Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA) configuration that amplifies a seed signal from either a semiconductor laser or a ring fiber laser. Notably, this frequency-quadrupled blue light has promising applications for underwater communications, imaging, and anomaly detection. Additional features include amplitude modulation of the IR seed signal to encode communication data directed to or from submarines. Furthermore, his design enables the transmission of blue-light pulses in a scanned pattern to construct a three-dimensional representation of underwater environments.

Another significant patent from Minelly deals with compensating for distortions in optical fibers. This invention addresses mode-profile distortions arising from bending optical fibers with large mode areas. By micro-structuring the index of refraction in both the core and surrounding cladding areas, his method counters the index changes induced by the bending geometry. His design includes fibers with multiple parallel cores, effectively guiding signal light through unique configurations to maintain optimal performance in both straight and curved sections.

Career Highlights

John D. Minelly has had a notable career, with experience at prestigious companies such as Lockheed Martin Corporation and Aculight Corporation. His contributions at these organizations have significantly advanced optical technologies and their respective applications.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Minelly has collaborated with talented individuals like Roy D. Mead and Eric C. Honea. These partnerships have fostered a rich environment for innovation, combining expertise across various facets of the optical technology spectrum.

Conclusion

John D. Minelly’s work exemplifies the spirit of innovation in the field of optical technology. With his 15 patents and groundbreaking inventions, he continues to shape the future of underwater communication and imaging, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this exciting field.