Minimizing radiation damage in nonlinear optical crystals
US5805329A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/3505
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods are disclosed for minimizing laser induced damage to nonlinear crystals, such as KTP crystals, involving various means for electrically grounding the crystals in order to diffuse electrical discharges within the crystals caused by the incident laser beam. In certain embodiments, electrically conductive material is deposited onto or into surfaces of the nonlinear crystals and the electrically conductive surfaces are connected to an electrical ground. To minimize electrical discharges on crystal surfaces that are not covered by the grounded electrically conductive material, a vacuum may be created around the nonlinear crystal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.