Patent · US Expired

Phase conjugate laser with a temporal square pulse

US4972156A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
4References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 28, 1989
Grant dateNov 20, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 28, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S2301/206
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system and method for producing relatively square laser pulses derived from relatively Gaussian laser pulses. The system comprises a phase conjugate laser system that comprises a laser oscillator, an amplifying medium and a phase conjugate mirror having a nonlinear confined at a predetermined pressure. The mirror is adapted to truncate the front portion of an applied laser pulse. A plasma switch is disposed between the laser oscillator and the amplifying medium that has a gas confined therein at a predetermined pressure. The plasma switch and phase conjugate mirror cooperate to truncate the laser pulse to produce a laser pulse having a relatively square shape. Controlling the pressures in the plasma switch and phase conjugate mirror provides a means of controlling the formation of square-shaped laser pulses. In addition, a delay line may be employed in the system that is controllable in length that assists in controlling the truncation of the pulse in the plasma switch. A method of forming a square laser pulse in accordance with the invention comprises the following steps. A laser pulse is propagated through a plasma switch, and the pressure therein is adjusted to truncate the re…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.