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:
Oct. 09, 2001
Filed:
May. 27, 1999
Michael G. Wickham, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
Gerald W. Holleman, Manhattan Beach, CA (US);
Stephen J. Brosnan, San Pedro, CA (US);
TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Abstract
A photonic crystal fiber (,) is provided for a laser/amplifier system including a guiding structure comprising a geometric array of axial passages (,) formed along the length of the fiber (,). More particularly, the guiding structure includes a central silica rod (,) which is doped with a rare earth element for providing optical gain to the laser/amplifier. A plurality of second silica rods (,) are disposed circumferentially about the central rod (,). Each of the second rods (,) includes an axial passage (,) formed therethrough along the length of the fiber (,). A reflective coating (,) is deposited on an outboard surface of the array of rods (,) to confine pumped light (,) therein. The pumped light (,) may be injected into the fiber (,) from the side by focusing it through small holes (,) in the reflective coating (,) or by reflecting it off transverse Bragg gratings (,) written into a fiber pigtail (,) coupled to the fiber (,). The mode field diameter of the fiber (,) is controlled by properly selecting the diameter and spacing of the passages (,) in the second rods (,).