Abstract:
A laser cavity is formed by a partially transmissive output mirror and a plurality of reflecting mirrors. An ionized gas laser having Brewster angle windows is placed in the cavity. Spaced from one of the windows is a polarizing quartz crystal, the faces of which are coated with antireflective coatings. Adjacent to the quartz crystal is a right triangular birefringent prism having antireflecting coatings on two of its faces. The combined effect of the crystal and the prism is to disperse one laser wavelength along a path through an electro-optical crystal to a reflecting mirror. In addition, other laser wavelengths are transmitted to another quartz crystal and another birefringent crystal whose combined effect is to disperse a second laser wavelength along a path through an electrooptical crystal to another reflecting mirror. Other laser wavelengths are transmitted by the second birefringent crystal to another quartz crystal and birefringent crystal and from there additional respective electro-optical crystals and mirrors. When none of the electro-optical crystals is energized, the laser output beam will contain those wavelengths incident on the several mirrors. All other wavelengths capable of being generated by the laser are suppressed because of the losses introduced by the action of the quartz crystals and birefringent crystals. One or more of the several wavelengths may be removed from the laser beam by energizing the corresponding electro-optical crystal.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided for effecting controlled alterations in the polarization of a multiwavelength beam of radiation. Plural stress responsive elements are arranged in cascade to receive the radiation from a source; the elements being arranged in differing predetermined directions with respect to the polarization of the radiation. Dependent on the stress applied to the elements, the apparatus is tunable for bandwidth response. When stress is applied, the apparatus operates to provide a second state of operation.