Abstract:
A laser assembly (10) that generates a beam (12) includes (i) a gain medium (22) that generates the beam (12) when electrical power is directed to the gain medium (22); (ii) a grating (32) positioned in a path of the beam (12); (iii) a grating arm (34) that retains the grating (32); and (iv) a mover assembly (36) that moves the grating arm (34) about a pivot axis (38). The mover assembly (36) includes a coarse mover (344) that makes large scale movements to the grating arm (34), and a fine mover (352) that makes fine movements to the grating arm (34). With this design, the mover assembly (36) can quickly and accurately move the grating (32) over a relatively large range.
Abstract:
A laser source assembly (10) comprises a laser system (228), a mounting base (226), and a temperature control system (229). The mounting base (226) supports the laser system (228). The mounting base (226) includes a side wall (232) having a side top (232T) and a side bottom (232B), and a base floor (234) that extends away from the side wall (232) between the side top (232T) and the side bottom (232B). The temperature control system (229) controls the temperature of the laser system (228) and/or the mounting base (226). The temperature control system (229) includes a heat transferor (246) positioned substantially adjacent to an outer surface (2320) of the side wall (232). Heat generated by the laser system (228) is transferred away from the base floor (234) and through the side wall (232) to the heat transferor (246).
Abstract:
A laser source (10) for emitting an output beam (12) along an output axis (12A) includes (i) a first laser module (16) that generates a first beam (16A); (ii) a second laser module (18) that generates a second beam (18A); (iii) a beam selector assembly (32); (iv) a first director assembly (24) that directs the first beam (16A) at the beam selector assembly (32); (v) a second director assembly (26) that directs the second beam (18A) at the beam selector assembly (32); and (vii) a control system (34) that directs power to the modules (16), (18). The beam selector assembly (32) moves between a first position in which the first beam (16A) is directed along the output axis (12A), and a second position in which the second beam (18A) is directed along the output axis (12A).
Abstract:
A laser (14) includes an optical amplifier array system (17) that generates a plurality of laser beams (24); and a beam combiner (18) that coherently combines the plurality of laser beams (24) to form a combination beam (26) having a hollow center in a near field. The combination beam (26) with the hollow center allows for the use of a beam director (19) having an on-axis, reflective beam expander (21) without (i) loss in power, (ii) degradation of beam quality, or (iii) excessive heating of the beam expander (21).
Abstract:
A light source assembly for use by a user includes a housing assembly and a moving beam light source. The moving beam light source is positioned substantially within the housing assembly. The moving beam light source generates a source output beam that is directed away from the housing assembly at an angle relative to a rotation axis as a moving output beam while being rotated about the rotation axis. The moving beam light source is a non-visible light source that generates the source output beam having a center wavelength that is outside a visible light spectrum.
Abstract:
A laser source (10) for emitting an output beam (12) along an output axis (12A) includes (i) a first laser module (16) that generates a first beam (16A); (ii) a second laser module (18) that generates a second beam (18A); (iii) a beam selector assembly (32); (iv) a first director assembly (24) that directs the first beam (16A) at the beam selector assembly (32); (v) a second director assembly (26) that directs the second beam (18A) at the beam selector assembly (32); and (vii) a control system (34) that directs power to the modules (16), (18). The beam selector assembly (32) moves between a first position in which the first beam (16A) is directed along the output axis (12A), and a second position in which the second beam (18A) is directed along the output axis (12A).
Abstract:
A laser assembly (10) that generates a beam (12) includes (i) a gain medium (22) that generates the beam (12) when electrical power is directed to the gain medium (22); (ii) a grating (32) positioned in a path of the beam (12); (iii) a grating arm (34) that retains the grating (32); and (iv) a mover assembly (36) that moves the grating arm (34) about a pivot axis (38). The mover assembly (36) includes a coarse mover (344) that makes large scale movements to the grating arm (34), and a fine mover (352) that makes fine movements to the grating arm (34). With this design, the mover assembly (36) can quickly and accurately move the grating (32) over a relatively large range.
Abstract:
A laser assembly (1710) for generating an assembly output beam (1712) includes a laser subassembly (1716) including a first laser module (1716A) and a second laser module (1716B), a transform assembly (1744), and a beam combiner (1746). The first laser module (1716A) emits a plurality of spaced apart first laser beams (1720A). The second laser module (1716B) emits a plurality of spaced apart second laser beams (1720B). The transform assembly (1744) is positioned in a path of the laser beams (1720A) (1720B). The transform assembly (1744) directs the laser beams (1720A) (1720B) to spatially overlap at a focal plane of the transform assembly (1744). The beam combiner (1746) is positioned at the focal plane that combines the lasers beams (1720A) (1720B) to provide a combination beam. The laser beams (1720A) (1720B) directed by the transform assembly (1744) impinge on the beam combiner (1746) at different angles.
Abstract:
A laser assembly (1210) for generating an assembly output beam (1212) includes a laser subassembly (1216) that emits a plurality of spaced apart first laser beams (1220A), a plurality of spaced apart second laser beams (1220B), a transform lens assembly (1244), a wavelength selective beam combiner (1246), and a path length adjuster (1299). The transform lens assembly (1244) collimates and directs the laser beams (1220A) (1220B) to spatially overlap at a focal plane of the transform lens assembly (1244). The path length adjuster (1299) is positioned in a path of the first laser beams (1220A), the path length adjuster (1299) being adjustable to adjust of a path length the first laser beams (1220A) relative to the second laser beams (1220B).
Abstract:
A laser assembly (10) for generating an assembly output beam (12) includes a laser subassembly (16) that emits a plurality of spaced apart laser beams (20), a beam adjuster (42), a transform lens (44A), a beam combiner (46), and an output coupler (48). The beam adjuster (42) adjusts the spacing between the plurality of laser beams (20). The transform lens (44A) focuses the laser beams (20) at a focal plane (54) and the beam combiner (46) is positioned at the focal plane (54). The beam combiner (46) combines the lasers beams (20) to provide a combination beam (58). Further, the output coupler (48) redirects at least a portion of the combination beam (58) back to the beam combiner (46) as a redirected beam (60), and transmits a portion of the combination beam (58) as the assembly output beam (12).