Laser resonator with laser medium exhibiting thermally induced birefringence
US4872181A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 1988 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/127
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A laser resonator generates a polarized output beam with a laser medium exhibiting thermally induced birefringence and a Y-shaped resonant cavity. A lasing axis extends between a first side and a second side of the laser medium, Radiation transmitted out of the first side of the laser medium has its polarization rotated by 90 degrees and is guided back along the lasing axis into the laser medium for a second pass. A polarizer is mounted on the second side of the laser medium for guiding the radiation having a first polarization along a first path and radiation having a second polarization that is 90 degrees from the first polarization along a second path. Both the first path and the second path include the lasing axis of the laser medium and form a Y-shaped resonant cavity. Along the first path, a high reflecting means is provided to reflect the radiation back along the first path. Along the second path, an output coupler is provided by which a component of the radiation is reflected back along the second path and a component is transmitted as the polarized output beam. A Q-switch is provided in the first path between the polarizer and the high reflecting means, or in the second pa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.