The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 31, 1991
Filed:
Aug. 30, 1989
Philip R Hemmer, Fitchburg, MA (US);
Bruce E Bernacki, Tucson, AZ (US);
Abstract
Using simple optical components and an unmodified commercial off-the-shelf semiconductor laser, a frequency-selective self-aligning optical-feedback technique has been devised that allows a semiconductor laser to be tuned to and scanned about any optical frequency within the laser gain curve. This technique employs a graded-index rod lens cat's eye and an intracavity etalon for selecting one laser side mode. By changing the external cavity length, the laser frequency can be continuously tuned within one external cavity free spectral range. To further extend the tuning range, the laser injection current is changed to produce a discontinuous hop in the laser frequency. To eliminate the hops the cavity length and laser current are changed simultaneously.