Laser oscillator/amplifier with compensation for stress birefringence
US4955725A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 1989 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/10092
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A laser oscillator/amplifier system in which thermally induced birefringence in the gain media of the oscillator is compensated by thermally induced birefringence in the gain media of the amplifier. The system produces a quality output beam efficiently and with high power density in the preferred polarization. The oscillator cavity is characterized by a high reflector at one end and an output coupler at the second end with an oscillator gain medium exhibiting thermally induced birefringence in between. An amplifier exhibiting thermally induced birefringence which matches the thermally induced birefringence in the oscillator gain medium is mounted to receive the output of the oscillator cavity. A ninety degree rotator is mounted between the oscillator gain medium and the amplifier so that compensation for thermally induced birefringence in the oscillator gain medium is compensated by the matching thermally induced birefringence in the amplifier. The ninety degree rotator may be mounted inside the oscillator cavity, that is, between the oscillator gain medium and the output coupler; or it may be mounted outside of the oscillator cavity, that is, between the output coupler and the amp…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.