Long-pulse-width variable-wavelength chirped pulse generator and method
First Claim
1. A device for creating an optic pulse with different wavelengths separated by time comprising:
- a pump laser configured to output an energy pulse;
a dye cell configured to receive the energy pulse from the pump laser and output a wideband optic pulse comprising a range of wavelengths;
one or more mirrors configured to direct the wideband optic pulse away from the dye cell;
a spectrograph having an input and two or more outputs, the spectrograph configured to receive the wideband optic pulse from the dye cell after reflection by the one or more mirrors on the input and convert the optic pulse to a wavelength separated optic signal that are presented on the two or more outputs;
a first optic cable having an input end and an output end, the input end configured to receive a first output from the spectrograph;
a second optic cable having an input end and an output end, the input end configured to receive a second output from the spectrograph, the second optic cable having a different length than the first optic cable;
a coupler configured to combine the light signal from the output end of the first optic cable and the second optic cable to a single path; and
an iris configured to receive the combined light signal and illuminate a scene of interest with the combined light source.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for creating an optic pulse with different wavelengths separated by time. A pump laser is configured to output energy to a dye cell which, responsive to the energy, outputs an optic pulse. Mirrors direct the optic pulse away from the dye cell towards a spectrograph. The spectrograph has an input and two or more outputs. The spectrograph receives and converts the optic pulse to a wavelength separated optic signal presented on the two or more outputs. A first optic cable has an input end and an output end. The input end receives a first output from the spectrograph. A second optic cable has an input end and an output end. The input end receives a second output from the spectrograph. The second optic cable is a different length than the first optic cable to establish a time shift between the signals exiting the first and second cable.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device for creating an optic pulse with different wavelengths separated by time comprising:
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a pump laser configured to output an energy pulse; a dye cell configured to receive the energy pulse from the pump laser and output a wideband optic pulse comprising a range of wavelengths; one or more mirrors configured to direct the wideband optic pulse away from the dye cell; a spectrograph having an input and two or more outputs, the spectrograph configured to receive the wideband optic pulse from the dye cell after reflection by the one or more mirrors on the input and convert the optic pulse to a wavelength separated optic signal that are presented on the two or more outputs; a first optic cable having an input end and an output end, the input end configured to receive a first output from the spectrograph; a second optic cable having an input end and an output end, the input end configured to receive a second output from the spectrograph, the second optic cable having a different length than the first optic cable; a coupler configured to combine the light signal from the output end of the first optic cable and the second optic cable to a single path; and an iris configured to receive the combined light signal and illuminate a scene of interest with the combined light source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device for creating a chirped optic pulse defined as an optic pulse with different wavelengths separated by time comprising:
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a pulse generator configured to output an optic pulse, the optic pulse comprising a multiple wavelength pulse; a wavelength dispersive device having an input and two or more outputs, the wavelength dispersive device configured receive the optic pulse on the input and convert the optic pulse to at least one wavelength separated optic signal that is presented on the two or more outputs; a first optic cable having a first optic cable input and a first optic cable output, the first optic cable input configured to receive a first output from the wavelength dispersive device and present a first optic cable output signal from the first optic cable output; a second optic cable having an second optic cable input and a second optic cable output, the second optic cable input configured to receive a second output from the wavelength dispersive device and present a second optic cable output signal from the first optic cable output, the second optic cable having a different length than the first optic cable, thereby causing a time shift in the second optic cable output signal as compared to the first optic cable output signal; a fiber core configured to combine the first optic cable output signal and the second optic cable output signal onto a single core to create a combined light signal; and an iris configured to receive the combined light signal and illuminate a scene of interest with the combined light source. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for generating a chirped optic pulse comprising:
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generating laser pulse, the laser pulse including two or more wavelengths; receiving the laser pulse at a wavelength dispersive device, the wavelength dispersive device spreading the laser pulse into at least a first output having a first wavelength and a second output having a second wavelength; receiving the first optic output on a first optic path; receiving the second optic output on a second optic path, the second optic path having a different length than the first optic path; and outputting a first path output from the first optic path and a second path output from the second optic path to a coupler configured to combine the first path output and the second path output to create a combined light signal; and providing the combined light signal to an iris configured to receive the combined light signal and illuminate a scene of interest with the combined light source. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification