Folded internal beam path for gas stable/unstable resonator laser

US5764680A · kind A · utility

Inventor

• Tom A. Watson · Carlsbad, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 13, 1996
• Grant date: Jun 9, 1998
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S3/0818
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A gas stable/unstable resonator laser having a folded internal beam path includes a front reflective surface (25) mounted substantially perpendicular to the electrodes (21(1),21(2)), and a rear reflective surface (24) mounted substantially parallel to the front reflective surface. A lower fold reflective surface (26') is mounted substantially adjacent to and at approximately a 45 degree angle with respect to the front reflective surface (25) and an upper fold reflective surface (28') is mounted at approximately a 90 degree angle with respect to the lower fold reflective surface (26'). Light energy (27) is reflected between the front reflective surface and rear reflective surface and subsequently reflects off the lower fold reflective surface (26'). Light energy is then reflected from the lower fold reflective surface (26') to the upper fold reflective surface (28'), passing the light energy substantially perpendicular to the front reflective surface and rear reflective surface. Light energy (32) is then reflected through an output window (29), having a beam aspect ratio of approximately 1 so that the beam may be corrected by a single cylindrical lens.