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Optical sensor utilizing rare-earth-doped integrated-optic lasers

  • US 5,677,769 A
  • Filed: 05/30/1995
  • Issued: 10/14/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An optical sensor for detecting chemical and/or environmental conditions, comprising:

  • a source which generates a beam of coherent light;

    an integrated optic waveguide for receiving and propagating said beam of light, said waveguide comprising a substrate having a channel that is doped with a rare-earth element and reflectors located at opposite ends of said channel to thereby form a laser cavity;

    an analyte material in contact with said waveguide channel, said analyte having an optical property that changes in response to variations in the condition being detected, to thereby vary at least one of the wavelength and power of light generated in said laser cavity; and

    a detector for measuring changes in the wavelength or power of said light generated in said laser cavity.

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