IP Library Granted Patent US 11,539,185
Granted Patent B2
US 11,539,185 · App. 17/210,098 · Granted Dec 27, 2022

Laser apparatus

Inventors: Masashige Sato (Kariya, JP); Taku Suzuki (Kariya, JP); Hiroshi Yasaka (Sendai, JP); Nobuhide Yokota (Sendai, JP); Tomohiro Kita (Shinjuku-ku, JP)
Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION; TOHOKU UNIVERSITY; WASEDA UNIVERSITY
H01S5/0687H01S5/0014H01S5/0427H01S5/06246
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,539,185
App. No.
17/210,098
Granted
Dec 27, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A laser apparatus includes: a light source configured to generate laser light; and an optical negative feedback unit configured to narrow a spectral line of the laser light using optical negative feedback. A modulation signal is input to the light source to modulate a frequency of the laser light. A modulation amount in the frequency of the laser light is detected. A modulation sensitivity is calculated from (i) the modulation amount and (ii) an intensity of the modulation signal.

Claims (38)

1. A laser apparatus comprising:

a light source configured to generate laser light;

an optical negative feedback unit configured to narrow a spectral line of the laser light using optical negative feedback;

a frequency modulator unit configured to input a modulation signal to the light source to modulate a frequency of the laser light;

a modulation amount detector unit configured to detect a modulation amount in the frequency of the laser light; and

a modulation sensitivity calculator unit configured to calculate a modulation sensitivity from (i) the modulation amount and (ii) an intensity of the modulation signal.

2. The laser apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the modulation amount detector unit is configured to detect the modulation amount based on a beat signal generated by a self-delayed heterodyne of the laser light; and

the modulation sensitivity calculator unit is configured to calculate the modulation sensitivity based on the beat signal generated by the self-delayed heterodyne of the laser light.

3. The laser apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the modulation amount detector unit is configured to detect the modulation amount based on an intensity of the light passing through a ring filter.

4. The laser apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the modulation amount detector unit is configured to detect the modulation amount from a change in a frequency of the beat signal generated by a combined wave of the laser light and a reference light.

5. The laser apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a determination unit configured to determine a state of narrowing the spectral line based on the modulation sensitivity.

6. The laser apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising:

a controller unit configured to control the optical negative feedback unit based on a determination result by the determination circuit.

7. The laser apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein:

the controller unit is configured to control a coupling phase of the optical negative feedback unit based on a relationship between the modulation amount and the modulation sensitivity.

8. A laser apparatus comprising:

a light source configured to generate laser light;

an optical negative feedback circuit configured to narrow a spectral line of the laser light using optical negative feedback;

a frequency modulator circuit configured to input a modulation signal to the light source to modulate a frequency of the laser light;

a modulation amount detector circuit configured to detect a modulation amount in the frequency of the laser light; and

one or more processors configured to calculate a modulation sensitivity from (i) the modulation amount and (ii) an intensity of the modulation signal.

9. The laser apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein:

the modulation amount detector circuit is configured to detect the modulation amount based on a beat signal generated by a self-delayed heterodyne of the laser light; and

the one or more processors are configured to calculate the modulation sensitivity based on the beat signal generated by the self-delayed heterodyne of the laser light.

10. The laser apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein:

the modulation amount detector circuit is configured to detect the modulation amount based on an intensity of the light passing through a ring filter.

11. The laser apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein:

the modulation amount detector circuit is configured to detect the modulation amount from a change in a frequency of the beat signal generated by a combined wave of the laser light and a reference light.

12. The laser apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein:

the one or more processors are configured to determine a state of narrowing the spectral line based on the modulation sensitivity, providing a determination result.

13. The laser apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein:

the one or more processors are configured to control the optical negative feedback circuit based on the determination result.

14. The laser apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein:

the one or more processors are configured to control a coupling phase of the optical negative feedback circuit based on a relationship between the modulation amount and the modulation sensitivity.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 23, 2021
From: SATO, MASASHIGE; SUZUKI, TAKU; YASAKA, HIROSHI; YOKOTA, NOBUHIDE; KITA, TOMOHIRO
To: DENSO CORPORATION; TOHOKU UNIVERSITY; WASEDA UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 055690/0158 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2020-058450 · Mar 27, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210305778A1 · Sep 30, 2021