Laser amplifying system

Optical: systems and elements – Optical amplifier – Correction of deleterious effects

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C359S343000, C372S034000, C372S067000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06747789

ABSTRACT:

The invention relates to a laser amplifying system comprising a solid-state member which is of a plate-like design, has flat sides located opposite one another and comprises a laser-active material, a laser radiation field which passes through the solid-state member, a pumping radiation field pumping the laser-active material, a cooling device which absorbs heat from the solid-state member via a first flat side by means of a fluid cooling medium flowing in it and a reflector for the laser radiation field which is arranged on the first flat side.
A laser amplifying system of this type is known from European patent application 0 632 551.
In the case of such a laser amplifying system, the solid-state member is fixed in position via the first flat side bearing the reflector, wherein it is a problem to fix the solid-state member in a defined manner and aligned in such a manner that optical conditions which are as optimum as possible are present for the propagation of the laser radiation field.
The object underlying the invention is therefore to improve a laser amplifying system of the generic type in such a manner that the solid-state member may be arranged and aligned in as optimum a manner as possible.
This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention, in a laser amplifying system of the type described at the outset, in that a support with a stable shape is provided for the solid-state member, this support having the laser radiation field passing through it and being transparent for it, that the solid-state member is supported areally on a support surface of the support with a stable shape with its second flat side and is arranged so as to be defined in its shape and position essentially only via the support surface interacting with the second flat side.
The advantage of the inventive solution is to be seen in the fact that, with this solution, the cooling may be decoupled from the qualitatively high-standard, optical arrangement of the solid-state member relative to the laser radiation field since the cooling takes place via the second flat side, exactly as known from the state of the art, but the qualitatively high-standard, optical arrangement of the solid-state member is brought about via the second flat side which leads to a dimensionally defined arrangement and at the same time to a positionally defined arrangement of the solid-state member due to the areal support without marginal conditions required for the cooling impairing the shape and position of the solid-state member or being able to affect them as a result.
In this respect, a great advantage of the inventive solution is also to be seen in the fact that negative influences on the optical properties of the solid-state member due to unfavorable mechanical conditions can be avoided as a result of the unilateral predetermination of the shape and the position of the solid-state member.
A particularly favorable solution provides for the first flat side, in the area penetrated by the laser radiation field, to be free from constraining forces predetermined by a surface which is, inherently, mechanically rigid. This solution avoids, in particular, in the area of the solid-state member penetrated by the laser radiation field the build up of mechanical tensions which can, again, negatively influence the optical properties of the solid-state member in the area penetrated by the laser radiation field.
This is of significance, in particular, since an expansion of the solid-state member takes place on account of the heating up of the solid-state member by the pumping radiation field and when the solid-state member is subjected on the first flat side to constraining forces predetermined by a mechanically rigid surface this expansion leads to an impairment of the optical properties of the solid-state member in the area penetrated by the laser radiation field.
In the case of the inventive laser amplifying system there are different possibilities for ensuring that shape and position of the second flat side are clearly predetermined by the support surface of the support.
One advantageous embodiment of the inventive solution provides for the solid-state member to be fixed on the support.
With respect to the fixing between solid-state member and support, the most varied of possibilities are conceivable. For example, it is conceivable to fix the solid-state member on the support at the edges.
A particularly favorable solution provides for the solid-state member to be fixed on the support by a connection effective between the support surface and the second flat side.
Such a connection effective between the support surface and the second flat side may be realized in the most varied of ways.
A particularly favorable solution provides for the connection between the support surface and the second flat side to result due to bonding of support and solid-state member, wherein bonding of support and solid-state member is to be understood as the production of a rigid connection between the solid-state member and the support which can be mechanically stressed.
The provision of a connection between solid-state member and support by bonding has the advantage that no additional material is used which could negatively impair the optical properties of the unit consisting of support and solid-state member.
Another solution provides for the connection between the support surface and the second flat side to be brought about by means of a holding layer. Such a holding layer does have the disadvantage that it possibly leads to an impairment of the optical properties of the unit consisting of support and solid-state member but, on the other hand, it has the advantage that the connection between solid-state member and support may be realized in a simple manner.
In order to optimize the optical properties of the unit consisting of support, solid-state member and holding layer connecting them, it is preferably provided for the holding layer to be adapted with respect to its index of refraction to the index of refraction of the solid-state member.
A particularly favorable solution which, in particular, avoids reflections in the area of the holding layer provides for a difference in the respective indexes of refraction of less than 10
−2
to exist between the holding layer and the support and/or the holding layer and the solid-state member.
Alternatively or in addition to the adjustment of the index of refraction of the holding layer to the support and/or the solid-state member, a further advantageous solution provides for an antireflection layer to be provided between the holding layer and the support.
Furthermore, it is also advantageous when an antireflection layer is provided between the holding layer and the solid-state member.
Alternatively to the provision of a connection effective directly between solid-state member and support, a further, advantageous embodiment provides for the solid-state member and the support to be fixed in a force-locking manner in the area of the support surface and the second flat side as a result of a pressure acting on the solid-state member in the direction of the support. This solution has the advantage that with it the problems which possibly lead to an impairment of the optical properties of the unit consisting of support and solid-state member can be avoided.
A particularly favorable solution provides for the solid-state member to be acted upon with a force in the direction of the support by way of the cooling medium so that the pressure in the cooling medium itself may be used to generate the force, with which a force-locking fixing of the solid-state member on the support is brought about.
Alternatively thereto, another possibility provides for the solid-state member to be acted upon with a force in the direction of the support in sections so that the solid-state member is fixed on the support by way of force locking due to the solid-state member being acted upon partially.
This may be accomplished, for example, in that the solid-state member is acted upon with a force in the direction of the support in an

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