Coherent light generators – Particular beam control device – Q-switch
Patent
1998-09-03
1999-11-23
Scott, Jr., Leon
Coherent light generators
Particular beam control device
Q-switch
372 34, 372 66, 372 69, 372 39, 372 71, H01S 3113
Patent
active
059913150
ABSTRACT:
A solid state saturable absorber (SSSA) is formed from a slab of solid state material, such as Cr.sup.4+ : YAG. Optical distortion caused by the absorption process can be minimized by confining absorption to portions of the solid state slab which can be cooled efficiently. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the use of the SSSA in accordance with the present invention allows the repetition rate, pulse width, and energy level of the laser output pulses to be controlled by way of optical pump sources, such as a diode array. The solid state slab material allows for zig-zag propagation and thus, averaging of the thermal gradients caused by absorption, optical pumping and cooling which results in relatively low thermal lensing with virtually no birefringence and therefore allows for passive Q-switching applications in relatively high brightness laser systems. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a plurality of thin cells are stacked and immersed in an indexed matched cooling fluid in order to increase the absorption length while minimizing optical distortion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3451010 (1969-06-01), Maiman
patent: 4191931 (1980-03-01), Kuppenheimer
patent: 4734911 (1988-03-01), Bruesselbqach
patent: 5119382 (1992-06-01), Kennedy et al.
patent: 5299220 (1994-03-01), Brown et al.
patent: 5307430 (1994-04-01), Beach et al.
patent: 5394420 (1995-02-01), Senn et al.
patent: 5408480 (1995-04-01), Hemmati
patent: 5441803 (1995-08-01), Meissner
patent: 5548606 (1996-08-01), Senn et al.
patent: 5555254 (1996-09-01), Injeyan et al.
patent: 5608742 (1997-03-01), Petersen
patent: 5646773 (1997-07-01), Injeyan et al.
Injeyan Hagop
Palese Stephen P.
Jr. Leon Scott
TRW Inc.
Yatsko Michael S.
LandOfFree
Optically controllable cooled saturable absorber Q-switch slab does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optically controllable cooled saturable absorber Q-switch slab, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optically controllable cooled saturable absorber Q-switch slab will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1230526