Near infrared laser modulator
US4119929A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1977 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/04
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A modulator for a laser such as a chemical or electrically excited laser radiating in the region between approximately 2 and approximately 5 microns. The modulator consists of a transparent ferroelectric ceramic of the type known as PLZT. Such a polycrystal is disposed in the laser cavity. An electric voltage is applied to the crystal for causing it to exhibit optical birefringence, thus spoiling the Q of the laser cavity. Further, means is disposed in the laser cavity for linearly polarizing the radiation such as one or more Brewster windows transparent to the radiation. The crystal is cooled by fluid means such as a gas transparent to the radiation. Further, the crystal is mounted by means having an acoustic impedance substantially matching that of the crystal so that mechanical stress waves set up in the crystal are not reflected back into the crystal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.