Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and process for active pulse intensity control of laser beam

US5157676A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
9References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 19, 1990
Grant dateOct 20, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 19, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S3/005
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optically controlled laser pulse energy control apparatus and process is disclosed wherein variations in the energy of a portion of the laser beam are used to vary the resistance of a photodetector such as a photoresistor through which a control voltage is fed to a light intensity controlling device through which a second portion of the laser beam passes. Light attenuation means are provided to vary the intensity of the laser light used to control the resistance of the photodetector. An optical delay path is provided through which the second portion of the beam travels before reaching the light intensity controlling device. The control voltage is supplied by a variable power supply. The apparatus may be tuned to properly attenuate the laser beam passing through the intensity controlling device by adjusting the power supply, the optical delay path, or the light attenuating means.

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