Conductive face-cooled laser crystal
US5363391A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/0604
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A technique for passively removing heat from an optical element in a laser system through its optically transmissive faces. Heat is removed by way of optically transmissive heat sinks or other heat conducting media disposed adjacent the optically transmissive surfaces of the optical element. Heat is transferred out of the optical element in a direction parallel to the direction of propagation of energy, thus minimizing problems associated with thermal gradients. Devices employing optical elements such as nonlinear frequency conversion crystals and laser crystals may utilize the heat management approach of the present invention to achieve better performance. Heat is transferred to the heat conducting media by direct contact, or through narrow gas-filled gaps disposed between the optical element and the heat conducting media.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.