Patent ID: 7433116
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: A61B,G16Z,H01S

Abstract:
1. An infrared light source, comprising: one or more combiners coupled to at least a first pump laser operable to generate a first pump signal and a second pump laser operable to generate a second pump signal, the one or more combiners operable to combine the first pump signal and the second pump signal into a first optical signal, the first pump signal comprising at least a first wavelength and the second pump signal comprising at least a second wavelength, wherein the first wavelength of the first pump signal is substantially different than the second wavelength of the second pump signal; and a wavelength shifter coupled to the one or more combiners, the wavelength shifter comprising a first waveguide structure and a second waveguide structure, the wavelength shifter operable to receive the first optical signal and to wavelength shift at least a portion of the first optical signal based at least in part on a Raman effect, wherein the wavelength shifter operates to wavelength shift at least the first wavelength to an intermediate optical wavelength in the first waveguide structure and to wavelength shift the intermediate optical wavelength to a longer optical wavelength in the second waveguide structure; wherein at least a portion of the intermediate optical wavelength is greater than the first wavelength and wherein at least a portion of the longer optical wavelength is greater than the intermediate optical wavelength; and wherein the first waveguide structure is substantially different than the second waveguide structure.