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Amplitude and phase modulation of a laser by modulation of an output coupler

  • US 8,917,748 B2
  • Filed: 03/21/2011
  • Issued: 12/23/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A modulated laser comprising:

  • an optical resonator for light to circulate within;

    a gain medium housed within the optical resonator in the path of the circulating light;

    a pump for delivering excitation energy to the gain medium above a laser threshold of the optical resonator to bring the circulating light into coherent oscillation; and

    an output coupler included in the optical resonator in the path of the circulating light, the output coupler responsive to a control signal to selectively allow a fraction of the circulating light to exit the optical resonator as a modulated optical signal, the output coupler having an input port to receive the circulating light into the output coupler, an output-coupled port to emit the modulated optical signal, and a through port complementary to the output-coupled port to retain unemitted light within the optical resonator.

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