Laser optics protective device
US5568496A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S372/703
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A broadband thermal optical limiter disposed between a laser oscillator and laser amplifier system for protecting optical components in the laser oscillator from damage due to amplified optical feedback from the laser amplifier system at all near ultraviolet, visible and near infrared wavelengths is disclosed. The thermal optical limiter comprises: a first lens for focusing the amplified optical feedback to a focal point on an optical axis; a flowing dye cell disposed near the focal point and being responsive to the focused amplified optical feedback for thermally defocusing and aberrating the focused amplified optical feedback into a plurality of rings about the optical axis; a second lens for passing only a small portion of the defocused amplified optical feedback; and a blocking aperture disposed around the second lens for blocking substantially all of the thermally defocused amplified optical feedback from the flowing dye cell and passing therethrough into the second lens only a small portion of the thermally defocused amplified optical feedback from the flowing dye cell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.