Method and apparatus for generating high power laser pulses in the two to six micron wavelength range
US5583877A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/305
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus performs a method of generating one or more output laser pulses in a range of 2 to 6 microns. When a plurality of the output laser pulses are generated, a first output pulse has any selected wavelength within the range and a second output pulse is temporally closely spaced relative to the first output pulse and has a chosen wavelength differing from the selected wavelength. An oscillator laser cavity is provided with a tunable oscillator rod capable of generating initial laser pulses within a range of from 750 to 1000 nm, and a tuning element is coupled to the rod. A flashlamp is operable to pump the rod. For two pulse operation, the flashlamp has a given duration. A Q-switch provides the initial laser pulses upon operation of the tuning element and the flashlamp. A Raman device coupled to the rod shifts the wavelength of such initial laser pulse into the range of from 2 to 6 microns to form the output laser pulse having a wavelength within the range. For multiple pulses, a controller causes the Q-switch to provide first and second ones of the initial laser pulses, spaced by a time interval less than the given duration. Also, a selector coupled to the tuning element is op…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.