Laser reflecting cavity with ASE suppression and heat removal
US5317585A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 31, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/02
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A thermally conducting reflecting envelope for use in laser cavities, and laser apparatus employing such envelopes. A transparent heat conducting member, such as sapphire, surrounds a laser medium and has a transmissive coating thereon that transmits pump light provided by a pump light source onto the laser medium. The coating reflects the diode pump light and transmits laser light to suppress ASE that causes clamping of the laser output at a relatively low level. An absorbing elastic material is disposed on the dielectric coating and is adapted to absorb the laser light. Heat sinks are disposed in contact with the absorbing elastic material, and conducts heat away from the laser medium. A light entrance window or area is antireflection coated to transmit the pump light onto the laser medium. A liquid cooled version further includes a liquid cooling channel disposed between the laser medium and the thermally conducting member. Two slab lasers are also disclosed employing the present thermally conducting reflecting envelope. The present invention provides more efficient cooling and a more effective ASE suppression than conventional Samarium glass filters in solid state lasers pumped…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.