Robert G Gwynn

US Patent:

6650665, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

May 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/137894

Inventors:

John M. Worlock - Salt Lake City UT 84108-1441
Mike Willis - New Harmony UT 84757
Robert Gwynn - Bloomington MN 55437

International Classification:

H01S 3058

US Classification:

372 19, 372 32, 372 94, 372 99, 372101, 372102

Abstract:

A mode controlling device for capturing a highly divergent, multi-mode laser beam received from a high-power broad area laser source and producing a narrow, single-mode laser beam. In one embodiment, the mode controlling device comprises a diffractive device having a nonplanar profile positioned to receive the multi-mode laser beam. The diffractive device comprises a plurality of grooves for receiving the multi-mode laser beam and diffracting light to a reflective medium, thereby creating feedback for producing a narrow, single-mode laser beam with a non-uniform intensity profile. The reflective medium may be positioned at the surface of the diffractive device; alternatively, the reflective medium may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the diffractive device.

US Patent:

6414973, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Aug 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/652490

Inventors:

John M. Worlock - Salt Lake City UT 84108-1441
Mike Willis - New Harmony UT 84757
Robert Gwynn - Bloomington MN 55437

International Classification:

H01S 3098

US Classification:

372 19, 372 22, 372 9, 372 32

Abstract:

A device for generating blue or green laser light by the use of a device comprising an infrared high power semiconductor laser or an infrared high power semiconductor laser bar or array, a diffractive optical device, and an optical device utilizing a non-linear crystal to generate the blue or green laser light. In one embodiment, the diffractive optical device comprises a volume holographic transmission grating and the optical device comprises a ring resonator. In another embodiment, the diffractive optical device comprises a reflective diffraction grating feedback mechanism and the optical device comprises a ring resonator. In another embodiment, the optical device comprises a parabolic or non-planar feedback mechanism and a ring resonator. In another embodiment, the diffractive optical feedback device, which can be in the form of digital/binary optics, is attached to the semiconductor laser source. In yet another embodiment, the diffractive optical device comprises a hybrid lens comprising a plano-convex lens and a diffractive device, which also can be in the form of digital/binary optics, attached thereto.