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:
May. 25, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 09, 2001
Oskar Painter, Pasadena, CA (US);
Ming Cai, Pasadena, CA (US);
Kerry J. Vahala, San Gabriel, CA (US);
Peter C. Sercel, Pasadena, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
The present invention is a micro-cavity laser and methods related thereto. In the preferred embodiments, the micro-cavity laser comprises a laser pump signal in a fiber waveguide which is optically coupled to a micro-cavity resonator through a fiber taper. The micro-resonator includes a gain medium necessary for lasing action. The lasing frequency can be determined based upon the gain medium, the micro-cavity structure, as well as frequency selective elements such as gratings incorporated into the micro-cavity. The tapered fiber waveguide permits the micro-cavity laser to operate without a break in the fiber waveguide. In the preferred embodiments, the micro-cavity resonator is constructed from a doped silica or a semiconductor material. The present invention provides a compact laser with improved emissions and coupling efficiencies. Alternative configurations include multiple micro-cavities on a single fiber waveguide and/or utilizing multiple waveguides attached to one or more micro-cavity resonators. The laser can be made to operate in a continuous-wave as opposed to self-pulsing mode.