Modulators – Amplitude modulator – Nonlinear device controlled by modulating signal
Patent
1986-09-15
1988-11-29
Tarcza, Thomas H.
Modulators
Amplitude modulator
Nonlinear device controlled by modulating signal
101467, B41C 110, H01S 310
Patent
active
047885149
ABSTRACT:
In a laser beam modulation system, e.g. for pattern machining, in which a laser beam is modulated prior to power amplification, an acousto-optic modulator can provide a low beam extinction level when the diffracted beam is used, but the modulator causes an optical frequency change (Dopplar effect) taking the modulated beam outside the laser amplifier passband when both the source and amplifier are low pressure (1 torr) CO.sub.2 lasers.
This is overcome by operating at least one of the lasers at an elevated gas pressure thus increasing the lasing amplification bandwidth. Thus a waveguide CO.sub.2 laser can be used as the amplifier but the power available is limited. Preferably a tunable waveguide CO.sub.2 laser source is used tuned to a frequency offset sufficient to accommodate the modulation beam and sidebands within the passband of a conventional low pressure high power CO.sub.2 amplifier laser.
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Botjer William L.
Hellner Mark
Tarcza Thomas H.
U.S. Philips Corp.
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