Method and apparatus for Q-switching a laser
US5005176A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 1990 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/115
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A type II staggered alignment multiple quantum well (MQW) is integrated into a laser cavity to implement an active Q-switched device. The MQW initially absorbs and stores energy to prevent the device from lasing. In response to an applied electric field, the MQW experiences a sudden charged carrier population inversion and emits a strong, short duration pulse having a directionality conincident with that of the beam within the lasing cavity. A generalization of the invention involves optical amplification in which photon energy is first stored in a type II staggered alignment MQW, followed by the simultaneous application of an electric field and an optical beam to the MQW, such that the stored energy is released in a sudden pulse which is amplified with respect to the applied optical beam, and is co-directional with the applied beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.