Research Investment Network, Inc.

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Ams Research Corporation

Siros Technologies, Inc.

Douglas G Stinson

Robert L Thornton

Roger K Malmhall

Mathew C Bashaw

Matthew Charles Bashaw

Michael Ray Hodel

Lambertus Hesselink

Rongwei Jason Xuan

Michael W Sasnett

Michael V Morelli

Gerald Mitchell

Raymond Adam Nemeyer

David S Jebens

Roger F Malmh&auml;ll

Robert M Elkow

Patrick D O'Rourke

In a method, a laser pump module is set to a first power mode and pump energy is output at a first power level through the activation of a first subset of laser diodes. Laser light is emitted from a gain medium at the first power level in response to absorption of the pump energy. An operator input corresponding to a power mode setting is received. The laser pump module is switched to a second power mode and pump energy is output at a second power level through the activation of a second subset of the laser diodes. Laser light is emitted from the gain medium at the second power level in response to absorption of the pump energy.

Laser system having switchable power modes

A medical laser system and related methods of monitoring optical fibers to determine if an optical fiber cap on the optical fiber is in imminent danger of failure. The laser system includes a photodetector for converting returned light from the optical fiber cap to an electronic signal for comparison to a trigger threshold value known to be indicative imminent fiber cap failure. The returned light can be the main laser treatment wavelength, an auxiliary wavelength such as an aiming beam or infrared wavelengths generated by a temperature of the optical fiber cap. In the event the electronic signal reaches the trigger threshold value, the laser system can be temporarily shut-off or the power output can be reduced.

Fiber damage detection and protection device

A single monolithic semiconductor substrate comprises a first side and a second side. The first side includes an air bearing surface. A laser integrates with the first side. The laser has an emission facet substantially co-planer with the air bearing surface. A contact pad on the second side electronically bridges to the laser.

Semiconductor laser and associated drive circuit substrate

A near-field optical apparatus having one or more solid state lasers and an aerodynamically shaped slider which comprise a single integrated, monolithic device fabricated from the same base semiconductor material. The monolithic optical head can be quickly and easily attached to the read arm of an optical read/write device without requiring attachment of separate laser elements, and without micropositioning or use of optical microscopy for positioning the lasers. The optical head comprising a single semiconductor substrate including a first region which defines a slider having an air bearing surface, and at least one second, laser region which defines a diode laser, with the diode laser having an emission face which is substantially co-planar with the air bearing surface. The semiconductor substrate preferably includes an active layer, a p-clad layer or reflective layer adjacent a first side of the active region, an n-clad layer or reflective layer adjacent a second side of the active layer, and an n-semiconductor layer adjacent the n-clad layer. A slider region of the semiconductor substrate includes an air bearing surface, adjacent the p-clad layer, which is aerodynamically structured and configured to define a slider. The integral lasers include a p-electrical contact adjacent to the p-clad layer and proximate to the laser emission face, and an n-electrical contact adjacent to the n-clad layer or an n-semiconductor layer. The laser mode is defined by oxidized or ion-diffusion regions associated with the p-clad layer or n-clad layer of the laser. A conductive via through the substrate allows electrical connection with the p-side contact to be achieved from the n-side of the substrate. The optical head is used in a near-field optical system with an optical medium having a phase change layer.

Near-field optical head system with integrated slider and laser

A near-field optical system having one or more solid state lasers and an aerodynamically shaped slider which comprise a single integrated, monolithic device fabricated from the same base semiconductor material. The monolithic optical head can be quickly and easily attached to the read arm of an optical read/write device without requiring attachment of separate laser elements, and without micropositioning or use of optical microscopy for positioning the lasers. The optical head comprising a single semiconductor substrate including a first region which defines a slider having an air bearing surface, and at least one second, laser region which defines a diode laser, with the diode laser having an emission face which is substantially co-planar with the air bearing surface. The semiconductor substrate preferably includes an active layer, a p-clad layer or reflective layer adjacent a first side of the active region, an n-clad layer or reflective layer adjacent a second side of the active layer, and an n-semiconductor layer adjacent the n-clad layer. A slider region of the semiconductor substrate includes an air bearing surface, adjacent the p-clad layer, which is aerodynamically structured and configured to define a slider. The integral lasers include a p-electrical contact adjacent to the p-clad layer and proximate to the laser emission face, and an n-electrical contact adjacent to the n-clad layer or an n-semiconductor layer. The laser mode is defined by oxidized or ion-diffusion regions associated with the p-clad layer or n-clad layer of the laser. A conductive via through the substrate allows electrical connection with the p-side contact to be achieved from the n-side of the substrate. The optical head is used in a near-field optical system with an optical medium having a phase change layer.

A near-field optical system having one or more solid state lasers and an aerodynamically shaped slider which comprise a single integrated, monolithic device fabricated from the same base semiconductor material. The monolithic optical head can be quickly and easily attached to the read arm of an optical read/write device without requiring attachment of separate laser elements, and without micropositioning or use of optical microscopy for positioning the lasers. The optical head comprising a single semiconductor substrate including a first region which defines a slider having an air bearing surface, and at least one second, laser region which defines a diode laser, with the diode laser having an emission face which is substantially co-planar with the air bearing surface. A slider region of the semiconductor substrate includes an air bearing surface, adjacent the p-clad layer, which is aerodynamically structured and configured to define a slider. The integral lasers include a p-electrical contact and an n-electrical contact which are electrically accessible from one side of the laser, which allows the laser to be used directly with a drive circuit substrate.

A hybrid magnetic-optical head apparatus wherein one or more solid state lasers, magnetic field biasing elements, magnetic sensing elements, and an aerodynamically shaped slider comprise a single integrated, monolithic device fabricated from the same base semiconductor material into an optical head. The monolithic optical head can be quickly and easily attached to the read arm of an optical read/write device without requiring attachment of separate laser and magnetic elements, and without micropositioning or use of optical microscopy for positioning the lasers or magnetic elements. The hybrid magnetic-optical head apparatus includes a magnetic-optical function region having a semiconductor laser and at least one magnetic element. Preferably, the magnetic-optical function region of the substrate includes a magnetic field biasing element associated with the semiconductor laser, as well as a magnetic sensing element. The slider portion of the magnetic optical head preferably includes an aerodynamically shaped air cavity as well as an air bearing surface, with the emission face of the laser preferably is substantially co-planar with the air bearing surface. The magnetic-optical function region may be configured for magnetically assisted thermal recording wherein writing is carried out primarily by laser power modulation to selectively heat portions of a medium, together with assistance of an applied magnetic field to establish a preferred direction of magnetization pattern in the medium. The magnetic-optical function region may alternatively be configured for thermally assisted magnetic writing wherein writing is carried out primarily by modulation of magnetic field, together with assistance of a laser which heats the medium to reduce the medium coercivity and thereby assist in the magnetic recording.

Near-field hybrid magnetic-optical head system

Various aspects of multiple-channel light transmitting systems are disclosed. The system may include a multiple-wave length light source, a demultiplexer; a modulator, and a wavelocker. The wavelocker is configured to drive the light source such that said multiple wavelengths coincide with the ITU grid. The system may also include other elements including a locker or a mode-locking servo, where the servo is configured to adjust the mode locking method frequency to coincide with the spacing of the ITU grid. Further additional elements may include an optical amplifier or an equalizer. The equalizer may include a filter whose transmission function varies with wavelength.

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Fremont, CA, United States of America

Douglas G Stinson