Multipass laser amplifier with at least one expanded pass
US4918395A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 1988 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/2333
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A laser amplifier with high gain and high power efficiency comprises a gain medium characterized by at least two optical paths through the gain medium. An optic supplies the input laser pulse along a first optical path, so that the laser pulse has a transverse dimension D.sub.i as it propagates along the first optical path and exits the gain medium as a first pass amplified pulse. A second optic expands the first pass amplified pulse in the transverse dimension to an expanded pulse with transverse dimension D.sub.e, and guides the expanded pulse along a second optical path through the gain medium. The laser pulse exits the gain medium as a second pass amplified pulse. A third optic in a preferred system guides the second pass amplified pulse along a third optical path through the gain medium so that the laser pulse exits the gain medium as the output pulse.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.