Photonic-crystal-rod optical amplifier with sealed-hole endcap and associated method
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from at or near a first end of the device to at or near a second end of the device, wherein the holes are sealed at the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, and wherein the beam-expanding endcap includes an optical-exit facet at the second end that is polished after the holes are sealed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus use a photonic-crystal fiber having a very large core while maintaining a single transverse mode. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus includes a photonic-crystal fiber or rod (PCF or PCR) optical device having a beam-expanding endcap formed, e.g., by collapsing or otherwise sealing holes of the PCF or PCR. In some fiber lasers and amplifiers having large cores problems exist related to energy being generated at multiple-modes (i.e., polygamy), and of mode hopping (i.e., promiscuity) due to limited control of energy levels and fluctuations. The problems of multiple-modes and mode hopping result from the use of large-diameter waveguides, and are addressed by the invention. This is especially true in lasers using large amounts of energy (i.e., lasers in the one-megawatt or more range).
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from at or near a first end of the device to at or near a second end of the device, wherein the holes are sealed at the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, and wherein the beam-expanding endcap includes an optical-exit facet at the second end that is polished after the holes are sealed. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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2. An apparatus comprising:
a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from at or near a first end of the device to at or near a second end of the device, wherein the holes are sealed at the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap,—
wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) having an outer diameter of at least 1 mm.- View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus comprising:
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a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from at or near a first end of the device to at or near a second end of the device, wherein the holes are sealed at the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) having an outer diameter of at least 1 mm, and wherein the endcap of the first PCR is formed to a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first PCR away from the endcap, and a facet is formed at an end of the endcap of the first PCR. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. An apparatus comprising:
A photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from at or near a first end of the device to at or near a second end of the device, wherein the holes are sealed at the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, the apparatus further comprising a solid-glass endcap that is laser-welded to the second end of the photonic-crystal optical device.
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9. A photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from at or near a first end of the device to at or near a second end of the device, wherein the holes are sealed at the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, the apparatus further comprising a solid-glass endcap that is fused to the second end of the photonic-crystal optical device.
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; means for sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap; and means for polishing an optical-exit facet at the second end after the holes are sealed by the means for sealing.
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; and means for sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the means for sealing comprises a fiber-splicing device.
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12. An apparatus comprising:
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a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; and means for sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) having an outer diameter of at least 1 mm; and
wherein the means for sealing comprises;means for melting the holes shut to a distance of at least 1 mm from the second end of the first PCR device; and means for polishing an optical exit facet on the sealed end.
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13. An apparatus comprising:
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a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; and means for sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) having an outer diameter of at least 1 mm; and
wherein the means for sealing comprises;means for temporarily sealing the holes at the second end with an epoxy; means for tapering a diameter of the second end; means for removing the epoxy seal; means for melting the holes shut at the second end; and means for faceting the second end.
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14. An apparatus comprising:
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a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; and means for sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) device, and wherein the means for sealing comprises means for laser-welding a solid-glass endcap to the second end of the first PCR device.
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15. A method comprising:
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providing a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap; and after the sealing of the holes, polishing an optical-exit facet at the second end. - View Dependent Claims (16, 20)
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17. A method comprising:
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providing a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) having an outer diameter of at least 1 mm; and
wherein the sealing comprises;melting the holes shut to a distance of at least 1 mm from the second end of the first PCR device; and polishing an optical exit facet on the sealed end.
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18. A method comprising:
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providing a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) having an outer diameter of at least 1 mm; and
wherein the sealing comprises;affixing a temporary seal to the holes at the second end; reducing a diameter of the second end; removing the temporary seal; melting the holes shut at the second end; and faceting the second end.
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19. A method comprising:
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providing a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) having an outer diameter of at least 1 mm; and
wherein the sealing comprises;temporarily sealing the holes at the second end with an epoxy; tapering a diameter of the second end; removing the epoxy seal; melting the holes shut at the second end; and faceting the second end.
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21. A method comprising:
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providing a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the sealing comprises collapsing the holes to a distance of at least 1 mm from the second end of the photonic-crystal optical device; and after the sealing of the holes, polishing an optical-exit facet at the second end.
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22. A method comprising:
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providing a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; and sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the sealing comprises collapsing the holes to a distance of at least 1 mm from the second end of the photonic-crystal optical device, wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) device, and wherein the sealing comprises laser-welding a solid-glass endcap to the second end of the first PCR device.
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23. A method comprising:
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providing a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; and sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the sealing comprises collapsing the holes to a distance of at least 1 mm from the second end of the photonic-crystal optical device, wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) device, and wherein the sealing comprises fusing a solid-glass endcap to the second end of the first PCR device.
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24. A method comprising:
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providing a photonic-crystal optical device having a core surrounded by a plurality of lengthwise holes that extend from a first end of the device to a second end of the device; and sealing the holes for a distance from the second end of the device to form a beam-expanding endcap, wherein the sealing comprises collapsing the holes to a distance of at least 1 mm from the second end of the photonic-crystal optical device, wherein the device is a first photonic-crystal rod (PCR) device, and wherein the sealing comprises filling the holes with an index-matching material to a distance of at least 1 mm from the second end of the first PCR device.
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Specification