Multi-chip OPS-laser Common Resonator Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-chip OPS-lasers face limitations due to thermal roll-off, mode shifting, and increased costs from the use of relay optics, which reduce output power and stability, necessitating a design that avoids these issues.

Innovation Solution

A multi-chip OPS-laser apparatus with two OPS-chips and a partially reflecting, partially transmitting beam-splitter, where the OPS-chips have different resonator lengths, locking the lasing wavelength without the need for intra-resonator wavelength selective devices, and using a common path between the beam-splitter and end-mirror to maintain mode alignment and reduce losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If relay optics (mirrors) are added to correct mode path variations, then mode alignment is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode alignment stabilityVSAvoidresonator structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the relay optics (mirrors) from the multi-chip resonator system. By directly coupling the OPS chips to the common resonator path without intermediate relay mirrors, the system eliminates the complexity and cost associated with these optical components while maintaining mode alignment through direct thermal and optical coupling of the chips to the resonator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple OPS chips into a single common resonator path, allowing them to operate as an integrated unit. The chips share a common resonator cavity and lasing mode, eliminating the need for separate relay optics for each chip while maintaining individual pump-gain relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If relay optics are added to the resonator, then mode path variations are corrected, but round-trip losses increase reducing output power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode alignment stabilityVSAvoidround-trip resonator losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes relay optics from the resonator system, thereby eliminating the additional round-trip losses that these components would introduce. The direct coupling of OPS chips to the common resonator path minimizes optical losses while maintaining mode alignment stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If non-normal incidence is used for lasing mode on chips, then relay optics can be used, but interference effects cause spatial hole-burning reducing available power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresonator configuration flexibilityVSAvoidavailable lasing power

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using non-normal incidence with relay optics, the invention inverts the approach by using normal or near-normal incidence direct coupling. The OPS chips are positioned to couple directly into the common resonator mode at normal incidence, eliminating spatial hole-burning interference effects while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Power

If multiple OPS chips are added to increase output power, then power availability is improved, but thermal roll-off effects increase reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailable output powerVSAvoidthermal roll-off losses

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple OPS chips into a single common resonator system where they share the same lasing mode and resonator cavity. This allows the chips to operate cooperatively with improved thermal management compared to separate resonators, as the common resonator design enables more efficient heat distribution and reduced thermal roll-off effects across all chips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enhances power output and stability by minimizing thermal roll-off and mode shifting, eliminating the need for costly relay optics and wavelength selective elements, while maintaining alignment and reducing round-trip losses, thereby achieving higher efficiency and stability in lasing.

Implementation Method 1

a partially reflecting partially transmitting beam-splitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPartial reflection and transmission: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an end-mirror

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

When the first and second gain structures are energized by optical pump radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical pumping: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8891563B2Multi-chip OPS-laser

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 COHERENT INC

AI summary

A two-chip OPS laser includes first and second OPS-chips each emitting the same fundamental wavelength in first and second resonators. The first and second resonators are interferometrically combined on a common path terminated by a common end-mirror. The interferometric combination provides for automatic wavelength-locking of the laser, which can eliminate the need for a separate wavelength selective device in the laser.