Frequency comb analysis

• US 7,203,402 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2006
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Excel Medical Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Menlo Biocombs, Inc.
• Inventors: Haensch, Theodor W., Holzwarth, Ronald, Blume, Frederick R., Mei, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr.; Gregory J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GEISEL, KARA E
• Application Number:
  US11/343,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20060238762A1
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 398/200, 385/37, 385/43
• US Class Current: 385/43
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/31 Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry G01N21/72 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/503 Laser transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/506 Multiwavelength transmitters

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for generating a frequency comb and for its use in analyzing materials and in telecommunications. The frequency comb is generated by passing pulsed light from a laser through an optical fiber having a constriction. The frequency comb comprises a plurality of monochromatic components separated in frequency by a substantially constant frequency increment. The monochromatic components are used to probe materials for analysis. In preferred embodiments, the materials are DNA, RNA, PNA and other biologically important molecules and polymers. Optical responses are observed and used to analyze or identify samples. In telecommunication applications, the individual monochromatic components serve as carriers for individual communication channels that can carry information of any of a variety of types, such as voice, data and images.

Claims

1. A method for receiving optically transmitted information, the method comprising the step of receiving information encoded in at least one monochromatic spectral line, wherein said line is a spectral component generated by receiving a monochromatic illumination and by passing the illumination through an optical waveguide having one or more constrictions therein.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said information is selected from the group consisting of textual information, graphical information, tabular information, visual information, and auditory information.