1. A laser device comprising:
a cascade laser element including a laminated body having a plurality of semiconductor layers laminated on a semiconductor substrate and outputting light generated in an active layer from a first end face of the first and second end faces contained in the laminated body and opposing each other,
one semiconductor layer of the plurality of semiconductor layers being the active layer in which a light-emission region generating light by an intersubband transition in a quantum well structure and an injecting region injecting electron into the light-emission region are alternately laminated along the laminating direction of the plurality of semiconductor layers and which has piezoelectricity;
element driving means for supplying a voltage to the cascade laser element to drive the cascade laser element;
elastic wave supplying means for supplying an elastic wave traveling in the direction approximately orthogonal to the first end face to the active layer; and
controlling means for supplying a turn-on voltage in which the gain of the cascade laser element becomes the approximate maximum value to the cascade laser element by the element driving means, and for supplying the elastic wave to the active layer by the elastic wave supplying means.
2. The laser device according to claim 1, wherein the controlling means includes a turn-on voltage setting part for setting the turn-on voltage based on a voltage applied to the cascade laser element by the element driving means and a current flowing into the active layer when the voltage is applied.
3. The laser device according to claim 1, further comprising light detecting means for detecting the intensity of light outputted from the cascade laser element,
wherein the controlling means includes a turn-on voltage setting part for setting the turn-on voltage based on the detection result of the light detecting means.
4. The laser device according to claim 1, further comprising spectrum detecting means for detecting the spectrum of light outputted from the first end face of the cascade laser element,
wherein the controlling means includes an elastic wave adjusting part for controlling at least one of the frequency and amplitude of the elastic wave supplied by the elastic wave supplying means based on the detection result of the spectrum detecting means.
5. The laser device according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating film provided on the active layer in the second end face,
wherein the elastic wave supplying means includes a piezoelectric element provided on the insulating film, and expanding and contracting in the direction approximately orthogonal to the second end face.
6. The laser device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of semiconductor layers have the same conductive type;
the elastic wave supplying means includes a semiconductor film provided on the active layer in the second end face and having a different conductive type from the conductive type of the active layer, and a pair of electrodes for supplying a voltage to the semiconductor film; and
one electrode of the pair of electrodes is provided on the semiconductor film and the other electrode is provided on the laminated body.
7. A method for controlling a laser device, comprising:
a turn-on voltage setting step for setting a turn-on voltage in which a gain of a cascade laser element for outputting light generated in an active layer from a first end face of the first and second end faces contained in a laminated body and opposing each other becomes the approximate maximum value, in a laser device including the laminated body having a plurality of semiconductor layers laminated on a semiconductor substrate,
one semiconductor layer of the plurality of semiconductor layers being the active layer in which a light-emission region generating light by an intersubband transition in a quantum well structure and an injecting region injecting electrons into the light-emission region are alternately laminated along the laminating direction of the plurality of semiconductor layers and which has piezoelectricity;
an element driving step for supplying the set turn-on voltage to the cascade laser element to drive the cascade laser element; and
an elastic wave supplying step for supplying an elastic wave traveling in the direction approximately orthogonal to the first end face to the active layer of the cascade laser element.
8. The method for controlling the laser device according to claim 7, wherein the turn-on voltage is set based on a voltage supplied to the cascade laser element and a current when supplying the voltage in the turn-on voltage setting step.
9. The method for controlling the laser device according to claim 7, wherein the turn-on voltage is set based on the light intensity of the light outputted from the cascade laser element in the turn-on voltage setting step.
10. The method for controlling the laser device according to claim 7, further comprising an elastic wave adjusting step for detecting the spectrum of the light outputted from the cascade laser element and adjusting at least one of the frequency and amplitude of the elastic wave supplied to the active layer based on the detection result.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An air freshener apparatus for attachment about a supporting rod of a ceiling fan comprising:
a scent ring formed of wicking material, scent ring having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface, a slit extending from said outer surface to said inner surface, said inner surface defining an annular space sized for accepting a supporting rod of a ceiling fan therethrough, said ring being sufficiently flexible so that said ring may be sprung open at said slit to allow said ring to be installed about said supporting rod, said ring impregnated with a volatile fragrance material, whereby operation of said ceiling fan provides uniform distribution of said fragrance throughout an entire area.
2. The air freshener apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inner surface and said lower surface of said scent ring are coated with an impermeable polymeric material.
3. The air freshener apparatus of claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is a polypropylene film.
4. The air freshener apparatus of claim 1 including a tray constructed of an impermeable material and adapted to hold said scent ring about said supporting rod, said tray having a substantially flat lower surface with a raised rim extending around the perimeter thereof, said tray including a slit extending from an outer surface thereof to an inner surface thereof, said tray being sized and shaped to accept said scent ring within said raised rim, whereby said tray is sufficiently flexible for installation about said supporting rod.
5. The air freshener apparatus of claim 4 wherein said lower surface of said tray includes a plurality of perforations therethrough for increased distribution of said fragrance.
6. The air freshener apparatus of claim 1 including a retainer, said retainer constructed of a tubular material formed generally into a circular shape, at least one of the distal ends of the tubular material including a means for securing the distal ends together, the inner lumen of said tubular member being sized for accepting said scent ring.
7. The air freshener apparatus of claim 6 wherein said retainer includes a hinge means, said hinge means being constructed and arranged for opening said retainer for installation about said supporting rod.
8. The air freshener apparatus of claim 7 wherein said hinge means is a living hinge.
9. The air freshener apparatus of claim 7 wherein said hinge means is a pin type hinge.
10. The air freshener apparatus of claim 6 wherein retainer is perforate for allowing air flow therethrough.
11. An air freshener apparatus securable to a support rod of a ceiling fan comprising:
a tubular member forming an outer retainer and defining an annular space sized for accepting a scent ring therethrough, said retainer including a first end having a latch portion and a second end having a socket portion, said second end being constructed and arranged for overlapping interconnection with said first end of said retainer member, whereby said retainer is sufficiently flexible for placement about said ceiling fan support rod and wherein said latch cooperates with said socket for maintaining said retainer in a closed position;
a flexible scent ring constructed and arranged to fit within said annular space, said scent ring impregnated with a volatile fragrance material, whereby said scent ring is placed within said annular space prior to installation of said retainer about said support rod and whereby operation of said ceiling fan provides uniform distribution of said fragrance throughout an entire area.
12. The air freshener apparatus of claim 11 wherein said retainer includes a hinge means, said hinge means being constructed and arranged for opening said retainer for installation about said supporting rod.
13. The air freshener apparatus of claim 11 wherein said hinge means is a living hinge.
14. The air freshener apparatus of claim 11 wherein said hinge means is a pin type hinge.
15. The air freshener apparatus of claim 11 wherein said retainer includes a plurality of apertures extending through the wall of said tubular member for dissipation of said fragrance material.
16. The air freshener apparatus of claim 15 including a damping means constructed and arranged to regulate the dissipation of said fragrance material.
17. The air freshener apparatus of claim 16 wherein said damping means is a removable cover positioned over some or all of the apertures extending through the side walls of the retainer ring.
18. The air freshener apparatus of claim 11 wherein said scent ring is a plurality of scented beads.
19. The air freshener apparatus of claim 11 wherein said scent ring is a wicking material.