Arete Associates

Lite Cycles, Inc.

Other

James T Murray

William Austin

Micah Boyd

David M Kane

Paul Bryan Lundquist

Steve Rako

Jeff T Daiker

Jason Seely

Provided herein are systems and methods of manufacture and operation for a compact laser to achieve high-intensity output pulses. These compact laser resonators and methods rely upon separate and distinct functions of the laser resonator to be operated in balance such that the functions, while deleterious when separate are supportive of laser generation and growth when combined within a small volume laser resonator as described herein. The combined elements of the described laser resonator include a delicate balance that allows the laser to operate between plane-parallel operation and unstable operation. This operation mode further allows distinct methods of construction and operation that allow the compact laser to be reliably assembled and tested during assembly. Therefore, despite requiring a delicate balance of disparate elements, the described laser resonator results in a compact robust laser.

Compact laser cavity and methods of manufacture

Provided herein are systems and methods for an active sensing instrument actively utilizing the Christiansen effect to sense and adapt to suspended scatterers such as dust. The instrument enhances detection of remote surfaces that are partially or fully obscured at visual wavelengths due to those suspended scatterers. The system also may be used to measure properties and spatial distributions of the suspended scatterers themselves. Though the system is broadly applicable to remote detection through scattering media, it is particularly drawn to remote sensing through dust particles in the atmosphere as may be produced from helicopter fly-overs, dust storms, or other events that draw up substantial concentrations of mineral-based dust particles into the air.

Active christiansen effect LIDAR system and method

A compact laser is provided for in accordance with an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure includes a compact resonator structure using a non-planar geometry of bulk components. The laser includes a preferred rotational direction of lasing modes and employs bulk components for establishing the preferred rotational direction of lasing modes within resonator. In some embodiments, the preferred rotational direction of lasing modes is established using a reflective element that is outside the resonator structure. In some embodiments, the reflective element induces polarization shifts in the reflected light that are compensated for by a wave plate, which may be outside the resonator structure.

Compact laser cavity

Polarization scraping method and system for unidirectional rotational mode selection within a laser cavity

Separate reception/transmission apertures enhance pointing: reception is more efficient than transmission (kept smaller for MEMS steering). Apparatus aspects of the invention include lidar transmitters emitting laser beams, and scan mirrors (or assemblies) angularly adjustable to deflect the beams in orthogonal directions. In one aspect, afocal optics magnify deflection; a transmitter aperture transmits the beam; a lidar receiver doesn't share the transmitter aperture. In another aspect, auxiliary optics calibrate the deflection. A method aspect of the invention notices and responds to a remote source&#x2014;using a similar local laser, adjustable scan mirror or assembly, afocal deflection magnifier, transmission aperture and separate receiver. Method steps include operating the receiver to notice and determine location of the remote source; and controlling the transmitter to direct laser light back toward that location. Among preferences: receiver aperture exceeds five times transmitter aperture; receiver is segmented; beam expander between laser and mirror(s) controls waist or divergence, for selecting Gaussian or Rayleigh divergence and 'zoom'.

Camera-style lidar setup

A compact laser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure includes a compact resonator structure using a non-planar resonator geometry of bulk components. The laser further includes a laser gain medium and a pump source integrated within an optical path of the resonator. Some embodiments contain modifications to the resonator structure for integration of the laser gain medium, for controlling the output from the laser, and/or for controlling the physical and operational parameters of the laser. Some embodiments contain modifications to the laser gain medium or other bulk components of the resonator to integrate these bulk components within the resonator structure.

Athermal laser gain module

A high speed optical receiver comprises, in combination, a non-imaging light gathering device for directing light from its entrance pupil to its exit pupil according to the edge ray principle and a photonic detector coupled to the exit pupil and having an anti-reflective micro-structured active surface area dimensioned to minimize capacitance effects commensurate with achieving a desired signaling speed.

High speed optical receiver

A multimode source, such as a high-power laser diode bar, to pump an Nd doped region defined in a cavity of a monolithic crystal structure. The axial length L of the doped region is chosen to optimize energy absorption from the multimode source while minimizing resonant re-absorption loss to unpumped Nd ions. The next proximal cavity length L is an undoped region whose length is chosen to optimize the lowest order or fundamental spatial mode (&ldquo;mode &rdquo;) of the cavity. Advantageously, multi-parameter numerical optimization techniques may be employed in which the parameter set (e.g., doped length, L , doping concentration, pump beam spot size, micro laser cavity length, and output coupler reflectivity) is varied to determine the overall optimal length L .

Erbium-doped fiber amplifier pump array

The mode and wavelength of a conventional, multi-mode, wide-stripe laser diode is converted in an Nd ion-doped laser host crystal to a stable, single-mode output that falls within the spectral region required for pumping EDFA amplifying structures. The host crystal absorbs radiation from the diode that corresponds with the I &rarr; F absorption band of its Nd ions, and re-radiates into the F &rarr; I , F &rarr; I , and F &rarr; I transitions which release photon energy that can be utilized by amplifying structures doped with Er and/or Yb . The spatial mode of the multimode laser diode is converted to single-mode by enclosing the Nd -doped host laser crystal within a laser cavity that has a fundamental mode size large enough to encircle the spatial extent of the beam emanating from the laser diode.

Single-mode pump power source

A high speed optical receiver comprises a photonic detector having an active aperture area dimensioned to minimize capacitance effects commensurate with achieving the desired signaling speed, and a compound parabolic reflector having a surface contour described by rotating a parabolic arc about a rotational axis, the axis of said parabolic arc making an angle with the rotational axis proportional to the conical angle of the incident light to be gathered, the reflector having a plurality of focii defining the perimeter of an exit pupil not exceeding the area of said photonic detector aperture. The compound reflector contour may advantageously be formed at the end of a length of optical fiber that is positioned at the detector aperture, incident light being admitted to the other end of the fiber through a focusing element which may be a lens, mirror, or holographic phase mask.

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

James T Murray