Raymond K Connell

US Patent:

20060088074, Apr 27, 2006

Filed:

Oct 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/975246

Inventors:

Eric Johnstone - Redwood City CA, US
Raymond Connell - American Canyon CA, US

International Classification:

H01S 3/091

US Classification:

372070000, 372071000, 372075000

Abstract:

Directing an input light beam into a laser diode operated at a power below that required for lasing stimulates emissions, resulting in an amplified output beam. A dynamic steering system can focus the input beam onto front face of the laser diode. The steering system optionally includes an optical element mounted solely on piezoelectric actuators. Control signals for the actuators in the steering system control a base position and cause alternating movements of the optical element. A detector measuring optical power leaking from a back face of the laser diode can determine the power of the amplified beam that exits from the front face, and derivatives of the measured power with respect to the alternating movements indicate required adjustments of the base position. A polarizing beam splitter and quarter-wave plate in the path of beams can separate the input and amplified beams.