Variable output coupled resonator
US4164366A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1977 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/08059
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A variable output resonator is disclosed having a mode control cavity and a power extraction cavity both capable of being independently optimized to produce a laser beam having high power and good optical quality in the far field. A cone having a conical reflective surface is adapted to be linearly moved along a beam axis of the power extraction cavity in the resonator to intercept a portion of the radiation circulating therein to produce the laser beam. Both the diameter and power level of the laser beam are dependent upon the area of the reflective surface of the cone which interacts with the radiation circulating within the resonator. The insertion of the cone into the resonator does not influence the overall resonator alignment since the cone is external to the optical components defining the resonator. An embodiment of the present invention further includes means for varying the cross-sectional area of the radiation circulating within the resonator as it passes between the mode control cavity and the power extraction cavity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.