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:
Nov. 16, 2010
Filed:
May. 27, 2006
Christopher D. Brooks, Kenmore, WA (US);
Fabio Di Teodoro, Everett, WA (US);
Christopher D. Brooks, Kenmore, WA (US);
Fabio Di Teodoro, Everett, WA (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus use a photonic-crystal fiber having a very large core while maintaining a single transverse mode. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus includes a photonic-crystal fiber or rod (PCF or PCR) optical device having a beam-expanding endcap formed, e.g., by collapsing or otherwise sealing holes of the PCF or PCR. In some fiber lasers and amplifiers having large cores problems exist related to energy being generated at multiple-modes (i.e., polygamy), and of mode hopping (i.e., promiscuity) due to limited control of energy levels and fluctuations. The problems of multiple-modes and mode hopping result from the use of large-diameter waveguides, and are addressed by the invention. This is especially true in lasers using large amounts of energy (i.e., lasers in the one-megawatt or more range).