Mode-locked laser method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of stabilizing a mode-locked laser comprising:
- detecting a laser light generated by the mode-locked laser;
analyzing the detected laser light to determine the presence of at least one of a plurality of noise conditions, wherein a first noise condition indicates that a cavity optical length is too short and a second noise condition indicates that a cavity optical length is too long and wherein the first and second noise conditions have different noise characteristics that are analyzed to determine which noise condition is present; and
adjusting at least one of a cavity optical length and a loss modulation frequency of the mode-locked laser in accordance with the noise condition present.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for stabilizing the output of a mode-locked laser by monitoring the temporal behavior of the pulse train profile and controlling the laser cavity optical length and/or loss modulation frequency accordingly. A mismatch of the cavity optical length and the loss modulation frequency will yield a first characteristic noise condition on the laser beam pulse train when the optical length is too short for a given loss modulation frequency and a second, different noise condition when the optical length is too long. The laser beam is monitored and analyzed to determine which noise condition is present. The cavity optical length is adjusted accordingly by movement of one or more optical elements or by changing the index of refraction of one or more optical elements. In the alternative, or additionally, the loss modulation frequency can be adjusted to bring the laser back into mode lock.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of stabilizing a mode-locked laser comprising:
-
detecting a laser light generated by the mode-locked laser; analyzing the detected laser light to determine the presence of at least one of a plurality of noise conditions, wherein a first noise condition indicates that a cavity optical length is too short and a second noise condition indicates that a cavity optical length is too long and wherein the first and second noise conditions have different noise characteristics that are analyzed to determine which noise condition is present; and adjusting at least one of a cavity optical length and a loss modulation frequency of the mode-locked laser in accordance with the noise condition present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19)
-
-
10. A system for stabilizing a mode-locked laser comprising:
-
a detector, wherein the detector is configured and arranged to detect a laser light generated by the mode-locked laser; an analyzer, wherein the analyzer is configured and arranged to analyze the detected laser light to determine the presence of at least one of a plurality of noise conditions, wherein a first noise condition indicates that a cavity optical length is too short and a second noise condition indicates that a cavity optical length is too long and wherein the first and second noise conditions have different noise characteristics, wherein the analyzer is configured and arranged to analyze the noise characteristics to determine which noise condition is present; and an adjuster, wherein the adjuster is configured and arranged to adjust at least one of a cavity optical length and a loss modulation frequency of the mode-locked laser in accordance with the noise condition present. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
-
Specification