Abstract:
A solid state laser comprising: (a) at least a laser generating means (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) for generating a pumping laser light (L2); (b) a plurality of laser medium means (21, 105, 106) arranged relative to the laser generating means (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45); (c) the laser medium means (21, 105, 106) arranged for defining a zigzag reflected optical path (LD) when imparting the laser light (L2) or the laser lights (L2) to the laser medium means (21, 105, 106) along the zigzag reflected optical path (LP); and (d) an optical means (60, 61) for performing oscillating and exciting operations of a laser light (L1) produced along the zigzag reflected optical path (LP) when imparting the laser light (L2) or the laser lights (L2) to the laser medium means (21, 105, 10) along the zigzag reflected optical path (LP), thereby producing a high power output light (L3).
Abstract:
A tunable laser includes a laser medium (24), a resonant cavity (27, 28), at least one Faraday rotation element (26), and a polarization sensitive attenuator (25). Waves of laser energy produced by the laser medium resonate in the resonant cavity between a 100% reflective surface (27) and a partially transmitting mirror surface (28). The waves pass through the attenuator (25) and are linearly polarized. The linearly polarized waves pass through the Faraday rotation element (26) and the polarization sensitive attenuator (25) on each pass through the resonant cavity. The Faraday rotation element includes a permanent magnet (54) and a trim coil (56) for generating both fixed and variable components of a magnetic field. The polarized wave is rotated by an amount proportional to the intensity of the total magnetic field and the wavelength of the polarized wave. The polarization sensitive attenuator allows only waves of a prescribed polarization angle to pass therethrough without attenuation. Only unattenuated waves continue to resonate within the resonant cavity. In one embodiment, the Faraday rotation element and the laser medium are combined in a single element. The laser is tuned by varying the current applied to the trim coil, thereby adjusting the amount of rotation imparted to the polarized wave, which amount of rotation determines the particular wavelength that is allowed to resonate within the resonant cavity without attenuation.
Abstract:
In a transverse-pumped, solid-state laser, a nonabsorptive cladding surrounds a gain medium. A single transverse mode, namely the TEM.sub.00 mode, is provided. The TEM.sub.00 mode has a cross-sectional diameter greater than a transverse dimension of the gain medium but less than a transverse dimension of the cladding. The required size of the gain medium is minimized while a threshold for laser output is lowered.
Abstract:
An active Q-switch integral laser cartridge is made of an acoustic transmitting body having a photoelastic laser medium in a part thereof for propagating and coupling both optical and acoustic waves. The photoelastic laser medium and the acoustic transmitting body may be made of substantially the same or similar base material.
Abstract:
This specification discloses a composite glass laser rod comprising an inner cylindrical core surrounded by annuli of laser material. The annuli have different levels of doping so that the annuli have different indices of refraction, with the index of refraction of each inner annulus being slightly less than the index of refraction of the adjacent outer annulus.
Abstract:
A LASER MATERIAL CONSISTING OF A GLASS ROD COMPOSED OF TWO DIFFERNETLY DOPED GLASSES, ONE GLASS COMPRISES A LASERABLE CORE AND A SECOND GLASS COMPRISES A SENSITIZER ELEMENT. THE GLASS WHICH COMPRISES A LASERABLE CORE CONTAINS ERBUIM AS THE LASERABLE ION AND ALSO INCLUDES YTTERBIUM OXIDE AS A SENSITIZER. THE GLASS WHICH COMPRISES THE SENSITIZER ELEMENT CONTAINS NEODYMIUM OXIDE AND YTTERBIUM OXIDE WHICH ACT SOLEY AS SENSITIZER IONS. WHEN THE GLASS ROD IS PUMPED WITH OPTICAL ENERGY, A LARGE AMOUNT OF ENERGY IS ABSORBED BY THE NEODYMIUM AND YTTERBIUM IONS N THE SENSITIZER ELEMENT, WHICH ENERGY IS TRANSMITTED INTO THE LASERABLE CORE BY BOTH RADIATIVE AND NON-RADIATIVE PROCESSES TO ASSIST IN PRODUCING A STATE OF POPULATION INVERSION IN THE ERBIUM IONS PRESENT WITHIN THE CORE.
Abstract:
A dynamic, thermally-adaptive cuboid laser crystal mount is provided that is suitable for use with end-pumped, conductively-cooled solid state lasers. Various embodiments may provide a mount for supporting a cuboid rod host crystal for an end-pumping solid state laser. Various embodiments may solve laser crystal stress problems typically experienced in end-pumped solid state lasers. Various embodiments may also provide access to the crystal end surfaces for pumping and enable and maintain sturdy alignment of the crystal with continuous and uniform surface contact between the mount and the crystal. Various embodiments of mounts may provide a compact conductive cooling configuration compatible with any heat sink reservoir, controlling and maintaining a stable crystal temperature, thus avoiding thermally induced mechanical stresses. Various embodiment mounts may thereby further extend the fracture threshold of the laser crystal.
Abstract:
An active element slab for a laser source is presented. The active element slab includes at least one input surface of a pump beam, a first section in the shape of an elongated bar along a longitudinal axis that includes a first doped matrix configured to absorb the beam pump to amplify a laser beam travelling longitudinally, a second section that covers at least partially the first section, the second section that includes a second doped matrix configured to absorb the laser beam and of being transparent to the pump beam.
Abstract:
A method of bonding an RE:XAB gain medium to a heat spreader includes using a bonding solution of sodium silicate with concentration of sodium silicate is Na2O at 21.2% and SiO2 at 53% with PH>=11 mixed with nano-pure water in a 1:1 ration. Applying the bonding solution onto either a surface of the RE:XAB or a surface of the heat spreader, aligning the RE:XAB and the heat spreader, applying pressure to draw the surfaces of the RE:XAB gain medium and the heat spreader together thereby uniformly spreading the bonding solution; and then curing the bonding solution.