Patent · US Expired

Two-micron modelocked laser system

US5272708A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
14References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 1992
Grant dateDec 21, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 30, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S3/1616
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A continuous wave modelocked laser is provided which generates output pul having a duration in the picosecond range at a repetition rate in the MHz to GHz ranges. The laser includes a laser cavity defined by spaced, opposed reflective member forming a reflective path therebetween; a host laser crystal disposed in the cavity; an acousto-optic modulator disposed between the host laser crystal and one reflective member for modulating the output of the host laser crystal; and a birefringent filter, disposed in the laser cavity between the host laser crystal and the one reflective member, for tuning the laser emission to any one of a plurality of wavelengths within a range between 1.86 .mu.m and 2.14 .mu.m. A pump source pumps the host laser crystal at a wavelength of substantially 785 nm. A collimating plano-convex lens is disposed so that the planar face thereof faces the laser crystal. A mechanical device adjusts the length of the reflective path by axially displacing the one reflective member in the laser cavity so as to match the cavity round trip time to the second harmonic of the drive frequency of the acoustic-optic modulator.

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