Coherent light generators – Particular resonant cavity
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-25
2001-06-12
Scott, Jr., Leon (Department: 2881)
Coherent light generators
Particular resonant cavity
C372S040000, C372S066000, C372S072000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246711
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to pump cavities for lasers, and, more particularly, to a diode pump cavity for a glass laser.
BACKGROUND ART
There is a need for a small, compact, efficient, eye-safe laser for a variety of applications. These include law enforcement, rifle enthusiasts, commercial mariners, sports enthusiasts, construction industry, search and rescue, fire fighting, skiers, yachting, golfers, and municipal agencies, among others. A number of solutions have been proposed.
For example, one such solution comprises a flash lamp or diode-pumped erbium glass with a mechanical Q-switch. However, this approach requires the use of several diodes and a mechanical Q-switch, resulting in a more complicated, inherently larger apparatus than desired.
Another solution employs a Nd-YAG pumped optical parametric oscillator, which relies on conversion of Nd emission to an eye-safe wavelength. The wavelength conversion results in lower efficiency and the apparatus requires active heating/cooling.
Thus, there remains a need for a small, compact, efficient, eye-safe laser.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an Er:Yb:glass laser rod is integrated with a diode pump laser cavity, providing a small, compact, efficient, eye-safe laser. The all-glass laser rod comprises two undoped glass sections sandwiching a center section doped with Er
3+
and Yb
3+
. Lasing is achieved by pumping the center section with a pump laser.
The laser of the present invention is small, compact, efficient, eye-safe laser. The laser of the present invention is small, compact, and efficient, because only one diode is required, in contrast to the prior art approaches discussed above, and no conversion to a second wavelength is involved. Further, the laser lases at about 1.5 &mgr;m, which is considered to be eye-safe.
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Taccheo, P. Laporta, Longhi, S., and Svelto, O., “Diode-Pumped Microchip Er-Yb:Glass Laser”, Optics Letters, Optical Society of America (1993).
Kubo, Tracy S., and Kane, Thomas J., “Diode-Pumped Lasers at Five Eye-Safe Wavelengths”, IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics No. 4, (1992).
Bentley Julie L.
Bruesselbach Hans W.
Stultz Robert D.
Sumida David S.
Alkov Leonard A.
Jr. Leon Scott
Lenzen, Jr. Glenn H.
Raufer Colin M.
Raytheon Company
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