Solid state laser with interleaved output

US5375132A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Coherent, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Kevin P. Connors · San Francisco, US
• James L. Hobart · Los Altos Hills, US
• Edward D. Reed · Sunnyvale, US
• David Trost · San Francisco, US
• Kenneth J. Bossie · Tucson, US
• Thomas W. McCurnin · Tucson, US
• Gerald M. Mitchell · Los Altos, US
• J. Michael Yarborough · Tucson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 5, 1993
• Grant date: Dec 20, 1994
• Expiry date: May 5, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S165/314
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A pulsed solid state laser system is disclosed which utilizes a plurality of individual laser rods which are sequentially pumped and whose beans are combined into a single interleaved output bean. The individual laser rods are pumped at an average power level which is below that for maximum output power from each rod, thereby obviating the need for refrigeration cooling. A compact optical system is disclosed which permits a constant beam size even at different pump levels and other advantages. A compact cooling system is also disclosed.