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Abstract

The present invention provides several apparatus, methods, and computer program products for phase shifts in an optical signal generated by an optical device. The present invention includes a optical phase modulator for altering the phase of the optical signals output by an optical device. The present invention also includes a detector assembly that receives an interference signal generated by an optical interference of a power signal and a reference signal. The detector assembly generates a lockin signal representing the optical phase difference between the power signal and the reference signal. Connected to both the detector assembly and the optical phase detector is a processor. The processor receives the lockin signal from the detector assembly and compares the lockin signal to at least one predetermined set point value. The predetermined set point value represents either a desired maximum lockin signal value or a range of acceptable lockin values. If the lockin signal either exceeds the set point value or is not within a range of lockin signal values defined by the predetermined set point value, the processor combines the lockin signal with a step waveform and generates a combined feedback signal having a value within desired operation parameters of the optical phase modulator. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor combines the lockin signal with an exponential step function having a step portion of 2.pi.n.

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First Claim