IP Library › Patent Application 13652958
Patent Application
App. No. 13/652,958

Microbend-Enhanced Despeckling

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/652,958
Abstract

A method and apparatus that enhances an aspect of light output from an optical fiber by microbending the optical fiber to increase stimulated Raman scattering light. The enhancement may be a change in speckle characteristics or a change in color. There may be an optical monitor that varies the amount of microbending by controlling the force on the optical fiber.

Claims (30)

1 . A method of despeckling comprising:

generating a laser beam;

focusing the laser beam into an optical fiber;

generating stimulated Raman scattering light in the optical fiber; and

microbending the optical fiber to enhance an aspect of a light output of the optical fiber.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

using the stimulated Raman scattering light to form a projected digital image.

3 . The method of claim 1 wherein a spatial period of microbending of the optical fiber is in the range of 0.5 to 4 millimeters.

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the aspect of the light output of the optical fiber is a color of the output of the optical fiber.

5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the color of the light output of the optical fiber is green.

6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the aspect of the light output of the optical fiber is a speckle characteristic of the output of the optical fiber.

7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the microbending of the optical fiber results from three contiguous microbends.

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the microbending of the optical fiber results from a force on the optical fiber; and the force is in the range of 10 to 40 grams per microbend.

9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating an optical monitor signal that measures the aspect of the light output of the optical fiber; and

using the optical monitor signal to control the microbending of the optical fiber.

10 . An optical apparatus comprising:

an optical fiber; and

a microbending device that microbends the optical fiber;

wherein a stimulated Raman scattering in the optical fiber enhances an aspect of a light output of the optical fiber; and the microbending device increases the stimulated Raman scattering in the optical fiber.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the stimulated Raman scattering light forms a projected digital image.

12 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the microbending device has a microbending spatial period in the range of 0.5 to 4 millimeters.

13 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the aspect of the light output of the optical fiber is a color of the output of the optical fiber

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the color of the light output of the optical fiber is green.

15 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the aspect of the light output of the optical fiber is a speckle characteristic of the output of the optical fiber.

16 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the microbend device makes three contiguous microbends of the optical fiber.

17 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the microbending device applies a force on the optical fiber; and the force on the optical fiber is in the range of 10 to 40 grams per microbend.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:

an optical monitor that measures the light output of the optical fiber;

wherein a signal from the optical monitor is used to control the microbending of the optical fiber.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 25, 2018
From: LASER LIGHT ENGINES, INC.
To: PROJECTION VENTURES INC.
Reel/Frame 044727/0888 →