Patent US4955909A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5025451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-dimensional integrated laser array
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
•
Filing: 1989-10-20
•
Granted: 1991-06-18
•
Expires: 2009-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A two-dimensional integrated laser array having a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays and a plurality of waveguides for optically coupling the individual laser arrays together. Each surface-emitting laser array includes a plurality of injection lasers which are evanescently coupled together in order to emit a single beam of light. The coupling provided by the waveguides causes the surface-emitting laser arrays to operate in phase and at the same wavelength as an external master oscillator. Therefore, the surface-emitting laser arrays generate coherent beams of light, which are combined and focused by a micro-lens. The output of the micro-lens is a single, coherent high-power optical beam which is emitted perpendicular to the two-dimensional integrated laser array.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Jansen
- 👤 Moshe Sergant
- 👤 Szutsun S. Ou
- 👤 Jaroslava Z. Wilcox
- 👤 Jane J. Yang
- 👤 Larry R. Eaton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:28
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4249; H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/10; H01S5/18; H01S5/185; H01S5/40; H01S5/42; H01S5/4006; H01S5/4025; H01S5/4031; H01S5/4068; H01S5/4075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A two-dimensional integrated laser array, comprising: a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays; and means for optically coupling the individual laser arrays together such that the laser arrays operate in phase and at the same wavelength to emit coherent beams of light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
A two-dimensional integrated laser array, comprising: a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays; and means for optically coupling the individual laser arrays together such that the laser arrays operate in phase and at the same wavelength to emit coherent beams of light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The two-dimensional integrated laser array as set forth in claim 1, and further including means for combining and focusing the coherent beams of light to form a single, coherent high-power optical beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The two-dimensional integrated laser array as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for optically coupling includes a plurality of parallel waveguides interconnected between the laser arrays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The two-dimensional integrated laser array as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for optically coupling includes a plurality of Y-junction waveguides interconnected between the laser arrays.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The two-dimensional integrated laser array as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for optically coupling includes butt coupling the individual laser arrays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The two-dimensional integrated laser array as set forth in claim 1, wherein each laser array includes a plurality of injection lasers evanescently coupled together to emit a single beam of light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A two-dimensional integrated laser array, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays formed on the substrate, each laser array including a plurality of injection lasers optically coupled together to emit a single beam of light, each injection laser having associated electrode means; a plurality of waveguides formed on the substrate for optically coupling the individual laser arrays together such that the laser arrays operate in phase and at the same wavelength to emit coherent beams of light; and means for combining and focusing the coherent beams of light to form a single, coherent high-power optical beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A two-dimensional integrated laser array, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays formed on the substrate, each laser array including a plurality of injection lasers optically coupled together to emit a single beam of light, each injection laser having associated electrode means; a plurality of waveguides formed on the substrate for optically coupling the individual laser arrays together such that the laser arrays operate in phase and at the same wavelength to emit coherent beams of light; and means for combining and focusing the coherent beams of light to form a single, coherent high-power optical beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The two-dimensional integrated laser array as set forth in claim 7, and further including electrodes positioned over the waveguides between the surface-emitting laser arrays for controlling the optical beam generated by the integrated laser array, either by steering the beam or altering the shape of the beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The two-dimensional integrated laser array as set forth in claim 7, and further including electrodes positioned over the waveguides adjacent the surface-emitting laser arrays for controlling the amount of optical energy coupled into the waveguides from the laser arrays.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The two dimensional integrated laser array as set forth in claim 7, wherein each surface-emitting laser array includes an approximately 45 degree surface etched into the output end of the laser array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The two-dimensional integrated laser array as set forth in claim 10, wherein the 45 degree surface is formed by ion milling a notch into the surface of the laser array.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for integrating a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays, comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays on a substrate; and optically coupling the individual laser arrays together such that the laser arrays operate in phase and at the same wavelength to emit coherent beams of light.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for integrating a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays, comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays on a substrate; and optically coupling the individual laser arrays together such that the laser arrays operate in phase and at the same wavelength to emit coherent beams of light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for integrating a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays as set forth in claim 12, and further including the step of: combining and focusing the coherent beams of light to form a single, coherent high-power optical beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for integrating a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays as set forth in claim 12, and further including the step of: forming waveguides on the substrate for optically coupling the surface-emitting laser arrays together.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for integrating a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays as set forth in claim 12, and further including the step of: butt coupling the surface-emitting laser arrays on the substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a two-dimensional integrated laser array, a device comprising: a substrate; a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays formed on the substrate, each laser array including a plurality of injection lasers optically coupled together to emit a single beam of light; a plurality of waveguides formed on the substrate for optically coupling the individual laser arrays together such that the laser arrays operate in phase and at the same wavelength to emit coherent beams of light; and means for combining and focusing the coherent beams of light to form a single, coherent high-power optical beam.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a two-dimensional integrated laser array, a device comprising: a substrate; a plurality of surface-emitting laser arrays formed on the substrate, each laser array including a plurality of injection lasers optically coupled together to emit a single beam of light; a plurality of waveguides formed on the substrate for optically coupling the individual laser arrays together such that the laser arrays operate in phase and at the same wavelength to emit coherent beams of light; and means for combining and focusing the coherent beams of light to form a single, coherent high-power optical beam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3996492A
Cited
US4047124A
Cited
US4255717A
Cited
USRE31806E
Cited
US4318058A
Cited
US4578791A
Cited
US4680769A
Cited
US4742526A
Cited
US4718070A
Cited
US4764937A
Cited
US4730325A
Cited
US4719634A
Cited
US4869780A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-17 | 1994-12-17 | 1995-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-17 | 1998-12-17 | 1999-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-17 | 2002-12-17 | 2003-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |