Pulse control in laser systems
US6339604B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/1068
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A pulsed laser system includes a laser pump, a laser rod, a reflector interposed between the laser pump and the laser rod, through which energy from the laser pump enters the laser rod, an output reflector through which energy is emitted from the laser rod, a switch interposed between the laser rod and the output reflector, and a control device. The switch, when closed, causes energy to be stored in the laser rod and, when opened, allows energy to be emitted from the laser rod during an emission period. The control device allows a primary laser pulse emitted from the laser rod during the emission period to impinge on a workpiece and blocks from the workpiece secondary laser emission occurring during the emission period after emission of the primary pulse. The pulsed laser system is operated over a range of repetition rates, so as to cause laser energy to be emitted during a plurality of emission periods at each repetition rate. At least a portion of the laser energy emitted during the emission periods is directed toward the target structure in order to perform passive or functional trimming of the target structure. The switch is closed for a fixed, predetermined period of time prio…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.