Method and apparatus for detection and control of prelasing in a Q-switched laser
US5355383A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1992 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/10038
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention detects prelasing in a Q-switch laser and terminates laser operation upon such detection. A detector senses the presence of light beyond a Q-switch and generates an appropriate electrical signal. A comparison stage circuit compares this detector signal with an established threshold value indicative of prelasing and generates a trigger signal if this detector signal exceeds this threshold value. A control stage circuit receives both this trigger value and a sampled Q-switch signal indicative of an opening of the Q-switch. The control stage circuit terminates operation of the laser if the trigger signal from the comparison stage is received while the sampled Q-switch signal is being received to avoid the effects of prelasing. Appropriate delays and timing sequences are established.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.