SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENSING MANY FIBER SENSORS USING TIME-DIVISION MULTIPLEXING AND WAVELENGTH DIVISION MULTIPLEXING

A system and method for discriminately measuring the response of a plurality of spatially separated fiber sensors positioned along an optical fiber using a sweep of electromagnetic radiation. Each fiber sensor affects the transmission of a particular wavelength of electromagnetic radiation and the particular wavelength affected by a given fiber sensor is dependent on at least one environmental property of the given fiber sensor. By detecting the particular wavelength affected by a given sensor, it is possible to determine the environmental property of the given sensor. 1. A system for discriminately measuring the response of a plurality of spatially separated fiber sensors positioned along an optical fiber , the system comprising:an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength within an emission wavelength range, wherein the emitted electromagnetic radiation is transmitted by the optical fiber; each fiber sensor affects a transmission of a particular wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the optical fiber; and', the particular wavelength affected by the given fiber sensor is dependent on at least one environmental property of the given fiber sensor; and', 'the particular wavelength affected by the given fiber sensor is constrained within a defined subrange of the emission wavelength range;, 'for a given fiber sensor of the plurality of fiber sensors], 'the optical fiber including the plurality of fiber sensors, wherein at a given time, the electromagnetic radiation source outputs a specified wavelength of electromagnetic radiation; and', the output sweep includes at least two repetitions of a combination of a subsweep followed by a pause;', 'each of the repetitions begins at an initial wavelength and ends at an ending wavelength;', 'each subsweep comprises a sweep across a subrange of wavelengths beginning with the initial wavelength and ending at the ending wavelength;', 'during each pause ...

System and method for characterizing and correcting the optical response of an optical coherence tomography system

A system and method for correcting the optical response of an OCT system is presented. The system and method characterize the optical response of the OCT system to determine an optical loss of the OCT system as a function of wavelength. The optical loss corresponds to a reduction in the magnitude of electromagnetic radiation leaving an interferometer of the OCT system compared to the electromagnetic radiation entering the interferometer. The optical loss of the OCT system may be determined by generating output signals using the OCT system when the system does not contain a sample or contains an electromagnetic radiation absorbing material. A controller may control the source to pre-emphasize the electromagnetic radiation to correct for the optical response of the OCT system.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AND UTILIZING MULTIVARIATE PATHS FOR ONGOING SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CONTROL TO ATTAIN SINGLE MODE SWEEP OPERATION IN AN ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SOURCE

A method for sweeping an electromagnetic radiation source () to produce single mode operation having an optimized side-mode suppression ratio over a continuous range of wavelengths within a prescribed temporal profile, the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength based upon parameters. The method includes determining a set of parameter combinations that satisfy a condition for a desired set of wavelengths and a maximum side mode suppression ratio over the range of wavelengths. The set of parameter combinations define sub-paths for transitioning from one wavelength to another wavelength. Combinations of select sub-paths provide a multivariate path for transitioning over the range of wavelengths. The method also includes controlling the semiconductor laser to emit electromagnetic radiation over the range of wavelengths by traversing the multivariate path in a desired manner. 1. A method for controlling an electromagnetic radiation source of an optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) system , a spectroscopy system , a Light Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system , or an optical component testing system to produce a radiation sweep having an optimized side-mode suppression ratio over a continuous range of wavelengths within a prescribed temporal profile , the electromagnetic radiation source configured to output electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength based upon parameters , the method comprising:controlling the electromagnetic radiation source to emit electromagnetic radiation based on a group of parameter combinations, wherein uncontrolled parameters affect the emitted electromagnetic radiation;measuring the electromagnetic radiation source output for each parameter combination in the group of parameter combinations to determine a wavelength and a side-mode suppression ratio for each parameter combination in the group of parameter combinations; the parameters define a multivariate ...

System and method of dynamic and adaptive creation of a wavelength continuous and prescribed wavelength versus time sweep from a laser

A system ( 10, 20 ) and method including a wavelength tuning mechanism and a laser path length tuning mechanism for reducing discontinuities in a sweep range. A processor ( 14 ) is coupled to a wavelength monitoring device ( 18 ) and the tuning mechanisms. The processor analyzes data from the wavelength monitor to adjust the wavelength tuning and cavity length tuning at discontinuities in the wavelength sweep to reduce the discontinuities.

System and method for creating and utilizing multivariate paths for ongoing simultaneous multi-dimensional control to attain single mode sweep operation in an electromagnetic radiation source

A method for sweeping an electromagnetic radiation source ( 12 ) to produce single mode operation having an optimized side-mode suppression ratio over a continuous range of wavelengths within a prescribed temporal profile, the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength based upon parameters. The method includes determining a set of parameter combinations that satisfy a condition for a desired set of wavelengths and a maximum side mode suppression ratio over the range of wavelengths. The set of parameter combinations define sub-paths for transitioning from one wavelength to another wavelength. Combinations of select sub-paths provide a multivariate path for transitioning over the range of wavelengths. The method also includes controlling the semiconductor laser to emit electromagnetic radiation over the range of wavelengths by traversing the multivariate path in a desired manner.

System and method for interlacing differing coherence length sweeps to improve OCT image quality

A system and method for sweeping electromagnetic radiation over a first coherence length and a second length over a range of wavelengths to generate an image. Electromagnetic radiation having a first coherence length is generated and swept over a range of wavelengths. Electromagnetic radiation having a second coherence length is generated and swept over a range of wavelengths. The electromagnetic radiation is splitting through a reference path and a sample path; Electromagnetic radiation returned from the reference path and the sample path is detected, wherein the detector generates output signals corresponding to the received electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment, the output signals are processed to generate an image. The image may be interleaved with data corresponding to the electromagnetic radiation having the first coherence length and the second coherence length.

Method for finding and tracking single-mode operation point of external cavity diode lasers

An apparatus comprising: a processor for determining if a laser is operating in a single-mode state and for determining the degree to which one of one or more tunable parameters for the laser must be adjusted so that laser operates in a single-mode state if not operating in a single-mode state, wherein the one or more tunable parameters include the following parameters: the laser current and the wavelength of the output light. The apparatus may include a laser and/or a holographic storage medium. Also provided is a method for determining if a laser is operating in a single-mode state and for determining the degree to which one of one or more tunable parameters for the laser must be adjusted so that laser operates in a single-mode state if not operating in a single-mode state.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED RESOLUTION, HIGHER SCAN SPEEDS AND REDUCED PROCESSING TIME IN SCANS INVOLVING SWEPT-WAVELENGTH INTERFEROMETRY

A system and method for measuring an interferometric signal from a swept-wavelength interferometer by scanning a tunable laser source over two wavelength ranges, whose centers are separated substantially more than the length of wavelength ranges. The spatial resolution of the measurement is determined by the inverse of the wavelength separation between a first and second wavelength region, as well as by the wavelength range of the first and second regions. An electronically tunable laser may be utilized to produce two wavelength ranges that are widely separated in wavelength. Such a system and method has wide applications to the fields of optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) and swept-wavelength optical coherence tomography (OCT), for example. 1. A swept electromagnetic radiation system , comprising:at least one electromagnetic radiation source operable to generate electromagnetic radiation through a first range of wavelengths and a second range of wavelengths, wherein the first range of wavelengths and the second range of wavelengths are spectrally separated;an interferometer coupled to the at least one electromagnetic radiation source, wherein the interferometer includes a reference path and a sample path;a detector for receiving electromagnetic radiation returned from the reference path and the sample path, wherein the detector generates output signals corresponding to the received electromagnetic radiation; anda controller coupled to the detector and the at least one electromagnetic radiation source, wherein the controller selectively causes electromagnetic radiation to be generated through the first range and the second range and the controller processes the output signals to generate image signals.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electromagnetic radiation source is electronically tunable to discretely move between the first range to the second range without continuously sweeping a region between the first range and the second range. ...

System and Method for Interlacing Differing Coherence Length Sweeps to Improve OCT Image Quality

A system and method for sweeping electromagnetic radiation over a first coherence length and a second length over a range of wavelengths to generate an image. Electromagnetic radiation having a first coherence length is generated and swept over a range of wavelengths. Electromagnetic radiation having a second coherence length is generated and swept over a range of wavelengths. The electromagnetic radiation is splitting through a reference path and a sample path; Electromagnetic radiation returned from the reference path and the sample path is detected, wherein the detector generates output signals corresponding to the received electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment, the output signals are processed to generate an image. The image may be interleaved with data corresponding to the electromagnetic radiation having the first coherence length and the second coherence length.

System and Method for Optimization of Coherence Length of Tunable Laser Sources

A system and method for adjusting the coherence length of a tunable laser to optimize measurements and reduce artifacts. A tuning element of the laser system modulates, adjusts, or controls parameters associate with the tunable laser, such that the output wavelength of the tunable laser is modulated or adjusted over a wavelength range within a time interval. Modulation of the parameter has the effect of increasing a linewidth of the tunable laser.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIPLE LASER SOURCES USING HIGH SEMICONDUCTOR OPTICAL AMPLIFIER EXTINCTION

A system and method for passive combination of two or more laser sources (e.g., sampled grating distributed Bragg reflector (SG-DBR) lasers) into a single sweep that encompasses the combined range of the wavelengths of each laser source. 1. A system to combine a wavelength range of the electromagnetic output of a first electromagnetic radiation source and a second electromagnetic radiation source , the system comprising:the first electromagnetic radiation source configured to output electromagnetic radiation over a first range of wavelengths;the second electromagnetic radiation source configured to output electromagnetic radiation over a second range of wavelengths;the first and second electromagnetic radiation sources each comprising a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA); and control the output of electromagnetic radiation from the first and second electromagnetic radiation sources and tune the wavelength of the outputted electromagnetic radiation;', 'select the first or second electromagnetic radiation source as a selected radiation source and the other electromagnetic source as a non-selected source;, 'a controller coupled to the first and second electromagnetic radiation sources, wherein the controller is adapted towherein the selected radiation source outputs electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength selected by the controller, the controller de-powers the semiconductor optical amplifier associated with the non-selected radiation source to place the non-selected radiation source in a deactivated state, and the controller drives the non-selected radiation source to a predetermined wavelength range wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier extinction ratio is optimized for depowering.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first range of wavelengths and the second of wavelengths at least partially overlap.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first range of wavelengths and the second range of wavelengths are non-overlapping.4. The system of claim 1 , further ...

System and Method Utilizing Time-Slice-Eradication to Eliminate the Effects of Wavelength Non-Linearities from Swept-Wavelength Testing of Optical Components for Sources with Non-Linearities

A system and method for correcting non-linearities in the output of a tunable laser over a sweep range. Electromagnetic radiation is directed over a range of wavelengths to a measurement system from the tunable laser source, wherein the measurement system collects data over the range of wavelengths. The electromagnetic radiation emitted over the range of wavelengths is monitored. A non-linearity in one or more wavelengths over the range of wavelengths is determined. A signal is transmitted to the measurement system to cease collecting data when the one or more wavelengths having the non-linearity is output from the tunable laser source or the data is ignored. 1. A method of correcting a non-linearity in a tunable laser source , the method comprising:directing electromagnetic radiation over a range of wavelengths to a measurement system from the tunable laser source, wherein the measurement system collects data over the range of wavelengths;monitoring the electromagnetic radiation emitted over the range of wavelengths;determining a non-linearity in one or more wavelengths over the range of wavelengths; andtransmitting a signal to the measurement system to cease collecting data when the one or more wavelengths having the non-linearity is output from the tunable laser source.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein data is collected in an array of data.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein data occurring at the non-linearity is replaced with sampled data occurring prior to the non-linearity.4. The method of claim 2 , wherein data occurring at the non-linearity is replaced with data consistent with data immediately prior to the non-linearity.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tunable laser source is a semiconductor monolithic tunable laser source.6. A method for collecting data from a tunable laser source having one or more nonlinearities occurring when the tunable laser source is swept over a range of wavelengths claim 1 , the method comprising:directing electromagnetic ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AN OPTIMUM SIDE-MODE SUPPRESSION RATIO CONTINUOUS TUNING PATH FOR A SEMICONDUCTOR TUNABLE LASER

A system and method to determine data sets of front mirror current, back mirror current and phase current that change the wavelength output by a semiconductor laser in a prescribed trajectory versus time, while maintaining the maximum side-mode suppression ratio at each point during the sweep. 1. A laser system comprising:a multi-section semiconductor laser comprising a front mirror section, a back mirror section and a phase section, wherein the laser is operable to discretely sweep over a range of wavelengths;one or more current sources for outputting a current to at least one of the front mirror section, the back mirror section and the phase section;an external power meter coupled to the laser;an external wavelength meter coupled to the laser;a controller coupled to the laser, the external power meter and the external wavelength meter, wherein the controller is configured to determine a side-mode suppression ratio for each wavelength in the range of wavelengths and to output control signals to the one or more current sources to drive the laser through an optimum sweep path, wherein the optimum sweep path maximizes side-mode suppression ratio over the range of wavelengths.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller further determines a set of front mirror currents claim 1 , back mirror currents and phase currents over the range of wavelengths.3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the optimum sweep path is determined from an initial wavelength to a final wavelength claim 2 , wherein the initial wavelength and the final wavelength are within the range of wavelengths.4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the controller executes an algorithm to process the set of a set of front mirror currents claim 3 , back mirror currents and phase currents to determine a desired sweep of currents versus time.5. A method for collecting and processing data from a semiconductor laser source to produce an optimized side-mode suppression ratio over a continuous range of wavelengths ...

EXTERNAL CAVITY LASER

Embodiments of systems and methods are provided for a tunable laser device. The tunable laser device may include a diffraction grating connected to a pivot arm that pivots the diffraction grating about a pivot point to tune the laser device. In pivoting the diffraction grating about the pivot point, both the wavelength to which the diffraction grating is tuned and the length of the optical cavity may be changed. The length of the pivot arm may be selected to reduce the number of mode hops of the tunable laser device when tuning the laser device over its tuning range. 1. A laser system comprising:a laser cavity including a first end and a second end;a light source (i) residing within the laser cavity, (ii) providing a coherent light beam, and (iii) including a reflective surface disposed at the first end of the laser cavity;a lens disposed between the light source and the second end of the laser cavity, the lens being configured to collimate the coherent light beam to provide a collimated coherent light beam;a diffraction grating disposed at the second end of the laser cavity, the diffraction grating having an angular position relative to the collimated light beam that results in the diffraction grating reflecting a selected wavelength of the collimated coherent light beam through the lens toward the reflective surface; anda pivot arm connected to the diffraction grating, the pivot arm and the diffraction grating being configured to change the angular position of the diffraction grating relative to the collimated coherent light beam upon rotation of the pivot arm about a rotational axis; the reflective surface reflects the selected wavelength of the collimated coherent light beam through the lens toward the diffraction grating;', {'sup': 'th', 'a 0order grating transmission of the collimated coherent light beam is transmitted by the diffraction grating to provide a collimated output beam disposed at an output angle relative to the collimated coherent light beam; and ...

External cavity laser

Embodiments of systems and methods are provided for a tunable laser device. The tunable laser device may include a diffraction grating connected to a pivot arm that pivots the diffraction grating about a pivot point to tune the laser device. In pivoting the diffraction grating about the pivot point, both the wavelength to which the diffraction grating is tuned and the length of the optical cavity may be changed. The length of the pivot arm may be selected to reduce the number of mode hops of the tunable laser device when tuning the laser device over its tuning range.

System and Method of Dynamic and Adaptive Creation of a Wavelength Continuous and Prescribed Wavelength versus Time Sweep from a Laser

A system () and method including a wavelength tuning mechanism and a laser path length tuning mechanism for reducing discontinuities in a sweep range. A processor () is coupled to a wavelength monitoring device () and the tuning mechanisms. The processor analyzes data from the wavelength monitor to adjust the wavelength tuning and cavity length tuning at discontinuities in the wavelength sweep to reduce the discontinuities. 1. A sweeping laser system comprising:a laser source;a laser control unit operatively coupled to the laser source; anda processor to configure the laser control unit to control the laser source in order to achieve adherence to a set of prescribed sweep performance characteristics.2. The sweeping laser system of further including a sweep performance monitoring device coupled to the processor claim 1 , wherein the sweep performance monitoring device is configured to monitor at least one physical property associated with output of the laser source during the sweep.3. The sweeping laser system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one physical property is at least one selected from a group consisting of wavelength claim 2 , optical power claim 2 , side mode suppression ratio claim 2 , and phase.4. The sweeping laser system of claim 2 , wherein the performance monitoring device includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a wavelength monitoring device claim 2 , an optical power monitoring device claim 2 , a phase monitoring device claim 2 , a voltage monitoring device and a current monitoring device.5. The sweeping laser system of claim 2 , wherein the performance monitoring device includes an optical power monitor for measuring optical power versus wavelength or side mode suppression ratio.6. The sweeping laser system of claim 1 , wherein the laser source is a semiconductor laser that is operable to discreetly output radiation over a range of wavelengths.7. The sweeping laser system of claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AND UTILIZING MULTIVARIATE PATHS FOR ONGOING SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CONTROL TO ATTAIN SINGLE MODE SWEEP OPERATION IN AN ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SOURCE

A method for sweeping an electromagnetic radiation source () to produce single mode operation having an optimized side-mode suppression ratio over a continuous range of wavelengths within a prescribed temporal profile, the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength based upon parameters. The method includes determining a set of parameter combinations that satisfy a condition for a desired set of wavelengths and a maximum side mode suppression ratio over the range of wavelengths. The set of parameter combinations define sub-paths for transitioning from one wavelength to another wavelength. Combinations of select sub-paths provide a multivariate path for transitioning over the range of wavelengths. The method also includes controlling the semiconductor laser to emit electromagnetic radiation over the range of wavelengths by traversing the multivariate path in a desired manner. 1. A method for sweeping an electromagnetic radiation source to produce a single mode operation having an optimized side-mode suppression ratio over a continuous range of wavelengths within a prescribed temporal profile , the electromagnetic radiation source configured to output electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength based upon parameters , the method comprising:determining a set of parameter combinations that satisfy a condition for a desired set of wavelengths and a maximum side mode suppression ratio over the range of wavelengths, wherein the parameters define a multivariate space, each parameter combination comprising a point in the multivariate space, the set of parameter combinations define sub-paths for transitioning from one wavelength to another wavelength, and combinations of select sub-paths provide a multivariate path for transitioning over the range of wavelengths; andcontrolling the electromagnetic radiation source to emit electromagnetic radiation over the range of wavelengths by traversing the multivariate ...

System and method for improved resolution, higher scan speeds and reduced processing time in scans involving swept-wavelength interferometry

A system and method for measuring an interferometric signal from a swept-wavelength interferometer by scanning a tunable laser source (12) over two wavelength ranges, whose centers are separated substantially more than the length of wavelength ranges. The spatial resolution of the measurement is determined by the inverse of the wavelength separation between a first and second wavelength region, as well as by the wavelength range of the first and second regions. An electronically tunable laser may be utilized to produce two wavelength ranges that are widely separated in wavelength. Such a system and method has wide applications to the fields of optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) and swept-wavelength optical coherence tomography (OCT), for example.

System and method for multiple laser sources using high semiconductor optical amplifier extinction

A system and method for passive combination of two or more laser sources (e.g., sampled grating distributed Bragg reflector (SG-DBR) lasers) into a single sweep that encompasses the combined range of the wavelengths of each laser source.

Digital coherent LiDAR with arbitrary waveforms

A LiDAR system comprising a laser source configured to output electromagnetic radiation based on an input signal and circuitry configured to supply the input signal to the laser source to control electromagnetic radiation output by the laser source, such that the laser source outputs a waveform including a plurality of output states. The laser source outputs electromagnetic radiation having a particular wavelength during the output states. Each of the plurality of output states is separated in time from neighboring output states of the plurality of output states by a time span. The particular wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation for a first output state of the plurality of output states is different from the particular wavelength of electromagnetic radiation for a second output state of the plurality of output states.

System and method of dynamic and adaptive creation of a wavelength-continuous and prescribed wavelength versus time sweep from a laser

A system (10, 20) and method including a wavelength tuning mechanism and a laser path length tuning mechanism for reducing discontinuities in a sweep range. A processor (14) is coupled to a wavelength monitoring device (18) and the tuning mechanisms. The processor analyzes data from the wavelength monitor to adjust the wavelength tuning and cavity length tuning at discontinuities in the wavelength sweep to reduce the discontinuities.

System and method for generating and utilizing a valid sweep signal to obviate spurious data and increase sweep rate in an akinetic path-based swept laser

A system and method for triggering data acquisition in a semiconductor laser system including outputting electromagnetic energy from the semiconductor laser over a range of wavelengths according to a signaling path. The signaling path includes a plurality of discrete data inputs to the semiconductor laser for outputting electromagnetic energy over a range of wavelengths and the signaling path includes one or more perturbances in transitioning from one wavelength to another wavelength along the signaling path. A series of triggering signals for input to a measurement system is generated by the semiconductor laser. The semiconductor laser also generates a series of valid signal indicators when the outputted electromagnetic energy is not undergoing one or more perturbances. The valid signal indicators may be digitized and stored and/or used to pause the measurement system.

System and method for sensing many fiber sensors using time-division multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing

A system and method for discriminately measuring the response of a plurality of spatially separated fiber sensors positioned along an optical fiber using a sweep of electromagnetic radiation. Each fiber sensor affects the transmission of a particular wavelength of electromagnetic radiation and the particular wavelength affected by a given fiber sensor is dependent on at least one environmental property of the given fiber sensor. By detecting the particular wavelength affected by a given sensor, it is possible to determine the environmental property of the given sensor.

System and method for creating and utilizing "multivariate paths" for ongoing simultaneous multi-dimensional control to attain single mode sweep operation in an electromagnetic radiation source

A method for sweeping an electromagnetic radiation source (12) to produce single mode operation having an optimized side-mode suppression ratio over a continuous range of wavelengths within a prescribed temporal profile, the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength based upon parameters. The method includes determining a set of parameter combinations that satisfy a condition for a desired set of wavelengths and a maximum side mode suppression ratio over the range of wavelengths. The set of parameter combinations define sub-paths for transitioning from one wavelength to another wavelength. Combinations of select sub-paths provide a multivariate path for transitioning over the range of wavelengths. The method also includes controlling the semiconductor laser to emit electromagnetic radiation over the range of wavelengths by traversing the multivariate path in a desired manner.

System and devices for improving external cavity diode lasers using wavelength and mode sensors and compact optical paths

External cavity laser (ECL) systems and methods for measuring the wavelength of the ECL by using a portion of the positional light received by the position sensitive detector (PSD) to determine the position of a wavelength tuning element (such as a diffraction grating or an etalon), for determining the longitudinal laser mode or power output of the laser from a portion of the laser light received by a beam-shearing mode sensor, and by using a non-output beam(s) from a transmissive diffraction grating in the ECL to monitor the external cavity laser.

System and method for sensing many fiber sensors using time-division multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing

System and method for sensing many fiber sensors using time-division multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing

A system and method for discriminately measuring the response of a plurality of spatially separated fiber sensors positioned along an optical fiber using a sweep of electromagnetic radiation. Each fiber sensor affects the transmission of a particular wavelength of electromagnetic radiation and the particular wavelength affected by a given fiber sensor is dependent on at least one environmental property of the given fiber sensor. By detecting the particular wavelength affected by a given sensor, it is possible to determine the environmental property of the given sensor.

Apparatus and method for real-time three dimensional imaging

An optical system for generating a three dimensional, digital representation of a scene includes a nonvisible illumination source, a first camera to receive light from the scene and generate a first digital map therefrom, and a second camera to receive the nonvisible light from the scene, the nonvisible light having been generated by the illumination source, and to generate a second digital map therefrom. The first digital map concerns color and the second digital map concerns depth. The system also includes a processor that receives the first and second digital maps and generates a three dimensional, digital representation of a scene. The three dimensional, digital representation of the scene satisfies the following: (1) an image resolution with an image pixel count greater than or equal to 0.9 M (megapixels), (2) an image latency of 10 ms – 30 sec, and (3) a distance of 10 cm – 200 m.

Multiple-interferometer device for wavelength measuring and locking

External cavity laser

Embodiments of systems and methods are provided for a tunable laser device. The tunable laser device may include a diffraction grating connected to a pivot arm that pivots the diffraction grating about a pivot point to tune the laser device. In pivoting the diffraction grating about the pivot point, both the wavelength to which the diffraction grating is tuned and the length of the optical cavity may be changed. The length of the pivot arm may be selected to reduce the number of mode hops of the tunable laser device when tuning the laser device over its tuning range.

レーザ調整方法、波長可変レーザモジュール及びレーザ調整プログラム

【課題】光出力及び縦シングルモード性の双方において最良の特性を得ることができるレーザ調整方法、波長可変レーザモジュールを提供することを目的とする。 【解決手段】（１）コリメートされたレーザ光の光軸に対して回折格子を傾斜させてレーザ光を供給するステップ、（２）前記回折格子の向きをコリメートされたレーザ光に対して調整するステップ、（３）前記回折格子から出射した光の光出力値と縦モードのシングル性とをモニタリングするステップ、（４）前記縦モードのシングル性が予め設定した値以上を示し、所定の光出力値を示す回折格子の向きを算出するステップ、（５）該算出された回折格子の向きに、前記回折格子又はコリメートされたレーザ光の光軸を調整するステップを含むレーザ調整方法。 【選択図】図１

System and method of measurement frequency shifting to isolate external environmental conditions for interferometric dispersion measurements

A system and method including a semiconductor laser source configured to output radiation over a range of wavelengths at a prescribed rate to a device under test. The prescribed rate is sufficiently above environmental frequency bands. A detector is configured to detect output radiation from the device under test to obtain a detected signal associated with at least one physical property associated with the incident radiation over the range of wavelengths at the prescribed rate. The detected signal includes environmental signal and target signal from the device under test. A processor isolates the environmental signal from the detected signal; and processes the target signal to obtain dispersion information of the device under test. A system output is configured to output the dispersion information of the device under test.

Resonantly driven fiber polarization scrambler

The invention provides a polarization scrambler to rapidly change the state of polarization of light transmitted through a single mode fiber such that a substantial portion of the Poincare sphere is covered. A plurality of piezoelectric squeezers couple with an electronic drive. Each squeezer resonates in response to drive signals from the electronic drive to induce radial compression forces on the fiber. The drive signals remain resonant with each squeezer, at frequencies of about 100 kHz, through a feedback loop for each of the squeezers and the electronic drives. Coverage over the Poincare sphere typically occurs in less than about 100 milliseconds, and preferably less than 1 millisecond.