Variable dimension optical chamber and laser incorporating the same
US5828687A · kind A · utility
7Cited by
2References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 24, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 24, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/139
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical chamber for use in a laser or other optical device includes a hollow container with holes at opposite ends. A fixed mirror is sealed to the housing and overlies one hole, whereas a movable mirror is sealed to the housing by a flexible seal such as an O-ring interposed between the mirror and the housing. A variable force actuator such as a piezoelectric element biases the movable mirror against the seal. By varying the force applied by the actuator, the movable mirror can be moved towards and away from the fixed mirror to vary the path length through the chamber. The chamber can provide a low cost tunable gas laser.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.