Patent ID: 6212216
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: G02B,H01S

Abstract:
External cavity micro laser apparatus, comprising:at least one multimode micro laser means having an emission aperture with a relatively long dimension lying in a slow axis plane and a relatively short dimension lying in a fast axis plane, said laser means producing multiple transverse lasing modes, said multiple modes having multiple lasing lobe components; andexternal cavity means embracing said laser means and comprising:an output section having an output beam, said output section including:spatial filter means for effectively selecting at least one of said transverse lasing lobe components;imaging means for imaging at said spatial filter means a far field spatial frequency distribution of said emission aperture in the slow axis plane, at which said lasing lobe components are spatially distinguishable; andfeedback means distinct from and located beyond said spatial filter means for causing a fraction of the optical energy in said selected lasing lobe components to be fed back to said laser means for amplification by said laser means; anda return section receiving said amplified lasing lobe component after reflection from said laser means, said return section including return means for efficiently returning to said laser means at least a portion of said amplified and reflected lasing lobe component.