Laser pump control for output power stabilization
US5226051A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/042
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and apparatus for stabilization of pulse energies produced by a continuously pumped, Q-switched, solid-state or gas laser, through control of the optical power delivered by an optical pump to the laser, in order to limit the energy emitted in any single laser pulse as a result of Q-switching. The laser pump is driven at full strength for a selected initial refresh time t.sub.r. If a Q-switch trigger signal is received by the laser before the elapsed time .DELTA.t has reached the refresh time t.sub.r, the laser emits a pulse with the reduced energy stored in the laser at that time. If the elapsed time reaches or exceeds the refresh time t.sub.r, the optical pump power subsequently delivered to the laser is reduced to a lower level, which may be time-dependent, that is sufficient to maintain the net energy stored in the laser at a predetermined value so that the energy in a subsequently emitted laser pulse does not exceed a selected limit. Numerous techniques for controlling the optical pump power delivered are disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.