Mid-infrared super-continuum laser
First Claim
1. A super continuum light source comprising:
- an input light source, including one or more semiconductor diodes, to generate an input beam that comprises a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns;
one or more optical amplifiers to receive at least a portion of the input beam and form an amplified optical beam having a spectral width, wherein at least a portion of the one or more optical amplifiers comprises a cladding-pumped fiber amplifier doped with rare-earth materials; and
a nonlinear element comprising one or more mid-infrared fibers to receive at least a portion of the amplified optical beam and to broaden the spectral width of the received amplified optical beam to 100 nm or more through a nonlinear effect forming an output beam, wherein the output beam is pulsed;
wherein at least a portion of the output beam is in a mid-infrared wavelength range between 2 microns and 5 microns; and
wherein at least a portion of the one or more mid-infrared fibers comprises a ZBLAN fluoride fiber or a tellurite fiber coupled to a chalcogenide fiber.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A super continuum light source includes an input light source having semiconductor diodes generating an input beam having a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns. Optical amplifiers receive the input beam and form an amplified optical beam having a spectral width. The optical amplifiers may include a cladding-pumped fiber amplifier doped with rare-earth materials. A nonlinear element may include mid-infrared fibers to receive the amplified optical beam and to broaden the spectral width of the received amplified optical beam to 100 nm or more through a nonlinear effect forming an output beam, wherein the output beam is pulsed. At least a portion of the output beam is in a mid-infrared wavelength range between 2 microns and 5 microns and at least a portion of the one or more mid-infrared fibers comprises a ZBLAN fluoride fiber coupled to a chalcogenide fiber.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A super continuum light source comprising:
-
an input light source, including one or more semiconductor diodes, to generate an input beam that comprises a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns; one or more optical amplifiers to receive at least a portion of the input beam and form an amplified optical beam having a spectral width, wherein at least a portion of the one or more optical amplifiers comprises a cladding-pumped fiber amplifier doped with rare-earth materials; and a nonlinear element comprising one or more mid-infrared fibers to receive at least a portion of the amplified optical beam and to broaden the spectral width of the received amplified optical beam to 100 nm or more through a nonlinear effect forming an output beam, wherein the output beam is pulsed; wherein at least a portion of the output beam is in a mid-infrared wavelength range between 2 microns and 5 microns; and wherein at least a portion of the one or more mid-infrared fibers comprises a ZBLAN fluoride fiber or a tellurite fiber coupled to a chalcogenide fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A super continuum light source comprising:
-
an input light source, including one or more semiconductor diodes, to generate an input beam that comprises a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns; one or more optical amplifiers to receive at least a portion of the input beam and form an amplified optical beam having a spectral width, wherein at least a portion of the one or more optical amplifiers comprises a fiber amplifier doped with rare-earth materials; and a nonlinear element comprising one or more mid-infrared fibers to receive at least a portion of the amplified optical beam and to broaden the spectral width of the received amplified optical beam to 100 nm or more through a nonlinear effect forming an output beam, wherein the output beam is pulsed; wherein at least a portion of the output beam is in a mid-infrared wavelength range between approximately 2 microns and approximately 5 microns; and wherein at least a portion of the one or more mid-infrared fibers comprises a fluoride or tellurite fiber coupled to a chalcogenide fiber. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A super continuum light source comprising:
-
an input light source, including one or more semiconductor diodes, to generate an input beam that comprises a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns; one or more optical amplifiers to receive at least a portion of the input beam and form an amplified optical beam having a spectral width; and a nonlinear element comprising one or more mid-infrared fibers to receive at least a portion of the amplified optical beam and to broaden the spectral width of the received amplified optical beam to 100 nm or more through a nonlinear effect forming an output beam, wherein the output beam is pulsed; wherein at least a portion of the output beam is in a mid-infrared wavelength range between 2 microns and 5 microns; and wherein at least a portion of the one or more mid-infrared fibers comprises a chalcogenide fiber, a tellurite fiber, or a fluoride fiber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification