Coherent light generators – Particular resonant cavity – Mirror support or alignment structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-15
2002-03-12
Scott, Jr., Leon (Department: 2881)
Coherent light generators
Particular resonant cavity
Mirror support or alignment structure
C372S100000, C372S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06356577
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of lasers. More particularly, the present invention relates to laser diode bars.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A laser diode bar of the prior art is illustrated in FIG.
1
. The laser diode bar
2
includes a plurality of light emitting surfaces
4
. The plurality of light emitting surfaces
4
each emit a laser beam
6
. The plurality of light emitting surfaces form a linear array. The laser beams
6
combine to form a light output
8
. Each laser beam is located on a center
10
. The centers
10
are located on a pitch
12
and lie in a plane.
A laser diode bar has an upper limit on power output. Hawkes et al. in “Lasers Theory and Practice,” pages 407 and 408, teach that linear arrays of laser diodes can be stacked in order to produce higher output. In some applications it would be advantageous to increase the power output while maintaining the centers of the laser beams in a common plane.
What is needed is a method of combining light output from multiple laser diode bars while placing the centers of the laser beams in a common plane.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a method and apparatus for combining light output from multiple laser diode bars. The apparatus includes two laser diode bars and a mirror arrangement placed between the laser diode bars. The mirror arrangement reflects the light output from the laser diode bars into a preferred plane and a preferred direction. The mirror arrangement is preferably comprised of metal mirrors. Alternative mirror arrangements are based on prisms. An alternative mirror includes a cylindrically concave surface for collimating or focusing an individual laser beam.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4661828 (1987-04-01), Miller, Jr. et al.
patent: 5168401 (1992-12-01), Endriz
patent: 5216544 (1993-06-01), Horikawa et al.
patent: 5606181 (1997-02-01), Sakuma et al.
patent: 5808323 (1998-09-01), Spaeth et al.
Hawkes et al., “Lasers Theory and Practice,” Prentice Hall, New York, 1995, pp. 407-408.
Haverstock & Owens LLP
Jr. Leon Scott
Silicon Light Machines
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