Laser system using U-doped crystal Q-switch
US5557624A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/175
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A laser system includes a laser resonator cavity having a resonant axis and an Er:glass, Er:YAG, or other lasing element with an output of from about 1.4 to about 1.65 micrometers within the laser resonator cavity. A flash lamp optically pumps the lasing element to emit light. A Q-switch crystal lies along the resonant axis within the laser resonator cavity. The Q-switch crystal is formed of a host material having a concentration of U.sup.2+ ions therein, so as to be a saturable absorber of the light emitted by the lasing element. The Q-switch crystal is preferably a U.sup.2+ -doped fluoride such as U:CaF.sub.2, U:SrF.sub.2, or U:BaF.sub.2.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.