Method and apparatus for an increased pulse repetition rate for a CW pumped laser

US5172388A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• David C. Long · Wappingers Falls, US
• Howard A. Bender, III · Oviedo, US
• William Dale Carbaugh, Jr. · Marlboro, US
• Mark J. La Plante · Walden, US
• Christopher D. Setzer · Wappingers Falls, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 23, 1991
• Grant date: Dec 15, 1992
• Expiry date: Jul 23, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S3/1026
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A solid state lasing rod is spun on its long axis. The rod is pumped with photons while it spins. The rod is greater in diameter than the aperture. The rod is aligned off-center from the center of the aperture so that different portions of the rod are exposed to the aperture for lasing. The repetition rate of the lasing of the laser is increased because as the rod spins, the area of the rod that is not lasing is being charged. The laser rod can also be hollow to allow for pumping of the photons from either outside or inside the hollow bore or both. Similarly, this hollow bore in the laser rod could also allow cooling fluids to be circulated therethrough.