Method and apparatus for an increased output for a pumped laser using a moving aperture
US5233624A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/121
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A solid state lasing medium is pumped to produce a high repetition rate laser beam. The laser medium is pumped to cause maximum population inversion. The laser medium is greater in diameter than the aperture that defines the allowable beam path. In the preferred embodiment the off-axis laser beam that is produced is steered to become an on-axis laser beam using a novel SBSA (spinning beam steering assembly). The output of the laser is increased because as the SBSA spins, the area of the lasing medium that is not lasing is being charged or pumped. The laser medium can also be hollow to allow for pumping from either outside or inside the hollow bore or both. Similarly, this hollow bore in the laser medium could also allow cooling fluids to be circulated therethrough. Different embodiments of the SBSA are disclosed, including a variety of methods to pump the laser medium. Also, disclosed is a novel field removable or replaceable laser medium housing assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.