Patent · US Expired

Laser system using Co.sup.2+ -doped crystal Q-switch

US5654973A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
1References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 5, 1995
Grant dateAug 5, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 5, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S3/091
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A laser system includes a laser resonator cavity having a resonant axis and a lasing element within the laser resonator cavity. The lasing element emits, under stimulation, light at a wavelength of from about 0.95 to about 1.65 micrometers. There is a flash lamp which 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 Co.sup.2+ ions therein, so as to be a saturable absorber of light of a wavelength of from about 0.95 to about 1.65 micrometers. The Q-switch crystal is preferably Co.sup.2+ -doped yttrium-scandium-gallium garnet or Co.sup.2+ -doped yttrium-aluminum garnet.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.