Optical Apparatus with Light Sensing

Abstract

Optical apparatus comprising a generally closed housing defining an interior, an arrangement of optical elements in optical communication, the arrangement housed within the interior of the generally closed housing, and an optical sensor within the interior and arranged for sensing interior ambient light for monitoring an optical characteristic of the arrangement of optical elements.

1 . Optical apparatus, comprising:
 a generally closed housing defining an interior;   an arrangement of optical elements in optical communication, said arrangement housed within said interior of said generally closed housing;   an optical sensor within said interior arranged for sensing interior ambient light for monitoring an optical characteristic of said arrangement of optical elements.   
   
   
       2 . The optical apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said arrangement of optical elements comprises a length of optical fiber for providing output light having a first wavelength responsive to said length of optical fiber receiving pump light having a second wavelength that is different than said first wavelength. 
   
   
       3 . The optical apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said length of optical fiber comprises a rare earth. 
   
   
       4 . The optical apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said optical sensor has a spectral sensitivity selected to sense light comprising said first wavelength. 
   
   
       5 . The optical apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said optical sensor has a spectral sensitivity selected to primarily sense light having said first wavelength. 
   
   
       6 . The optical apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said optical sensor has a spectral sensitivity selected to sense light comprising said second wavelength. 
   
   
       7 . The optical apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said optical sensor has a spectral sensitivity selected to primarily sense light having said second wavelength. 
   
   
       8 . The optical apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said optical sensor has a spectral sensitivity selected to sense light having said first wavelength and light having said second wavelength. 
   
   
       9 . The optical apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said arrangement of optical elements comprises a laser cavity including said length of optical fiber. 
   
   
       10 . The optical apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said optical apparatus includes an input optical fiber for providing input light for amplification by said length of optical fiber. 
   
   
       11 . The optical apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said optical sensor is located so as to receive light via free space propagation from at least two different sources. 
   
   
       12 . The optical apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said arrangement of optical elements comprises a pump light source in optical communication with said length of optical fiber for providing pump light to said length of optical fiber. 
   
   
       13 . The optical apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said optical sensor is responsive to light having a wavelength of 900 nm to 1020 nm. 
   
   
       14 . The optical apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said optical sensor is responsive to light having a wavelength of 850 nm to 1600 nm. 
   
   
       15 . The optical apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said length of optical fiber comprises a rare earth and wherein said optical sensor comprises a spectral sensitivity selected to sense fluorescence from said rare earth when said rare earth is optically pumped. 
   
   
       16 . The optical apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said optical sensor has a spectral sensitivity selected to primarily sense said fluorescence. 
   
   
       17 . The optical apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said optical apparatus comprises a connector for providing communication of electromagnetic energy between said interior of said housing and the environment exterior of said housing, said optical sensor mounted on said connector. 
   
   
       18 . The optical apparatus of  claim 2  comprising circuitry responsive to the optical sensor and adapted for providing a selected output signal responsive to a selected change in the intensity of light sensed by said optical sensor. 
   
   
       19 . The optical apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said circuitry comprises a processor and a lookup table providing a selected relationship between an output from the circuitry and input received from said optical sensor. 
   
   
       20 . The optical apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said optical sensor primarily senses light generated by a non linear process.