Tunable laser with microactuator
First Claim
1. A tunable laser comprising a laser source for providing light with a wavelength along an optical path, a diffractive element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the laser source for redirecting the light received from the laser source, a reflective element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the diffractive element for receiving the light redirected by the diffractive element and for further redirecting the light back along the optical path to the reflective element, the diffractive element receiving the light further redirected by the reflective element and returning the light along the optical path to the laser source whereby the optical path created by the laser source, the diffractive element and the reflective element causes the light to lase at the wavelength, and at least one microactuator coupled to one of the diffractive element and the reflective element for moving such element to select the wavelength of the light.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tunable laser comprising a laser source for providing light with a wavelength along an optical path. A diffractive element is positioned in the optical path and spaced from the laser source for redirecting the light received from the laser source. A reflective element is positioned in the optical path and spaced from the diffractive element for receiving the light redirected by the diffractive element and for further redirecting the light back along the optical path to the reflective element. The diffractive element receives the light further redirected by the reflective element and returns the light along the optical path to the laser source. The optical path created by the laser source, the diffractive element and the reflective element causes the light to lase at the wavelength. At least one microactuator is coupled to one of the diffractive element and the reflective element for moving such element to select the wavelength of the light. A variety of microactuators that can be used with the tunable laser are provided.
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Citations
34 Claims
- 1. A tunable laser comprising a laser source for providing light with a wavelength along an optical path, a diffractive element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the laser source for redirecting the light received from the laser source, a reflective element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the diffractive element for receiving the light redirected by the diffractive element and for further redirecting the light back along the optical path to the reflective element, the diffractive element receiving the light further redirected by the reflective element and returning the light along the optical path to the laser source whereby the optical path created by the laser source, the diffractive element and the reflective element causes the light to lase at the wavelength, and at least one microactuator coupled to one of the diffractive element and the reflective element for moving such element to select the wavelength of the light.
- 28. A tunable laser comprising a laser source for providing light with a wavelength along an optical path, a diffractive element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the laser source for redirecting the light received from the laser source, a reflective element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the diffractive element for receiving the light redirected by the diffractive element and for further redirecting the light back along the optical path to the reflective element, the diffractive element receiving the light further redirected by the reflective element and returning the light along the optical path to the laser source whereby the optical path created by the laser source, the diffractive element and the reflective element causes the light to lase at the wavelength, and micromechanical means coupled to one of the diffractive element and the reflective element for rotating and translating such element to select the wavelength of the light.
- 31. A tunable laser comprising a laser source for providing light with a wavelength along an optical path, a diffractive element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the laser source for redirecting the light received from the laser source, a reflective element positioned in the optical path and spaced from the diffractive element for receiving the light redirected by the diffractive element and for further redirecting the light back along the optical path to the reflective element, the diffractive element receiving the light further redirected by the reflective element and returning the light along the optical path to the laser source whereby the optical path created by the laser source, the diffractive element and the reflective element causes the light to lase at the wavelength, a collimating lens disposed between the laser source and the diffractive element and a microactuator coupled to the collimating lens for moving the collimating lens to enhance the return of the light to the laser source.
Specification