Patent · US Expired

Laser wavelength control unit with piezoelectric driver

US6532247B2 · kind B2 · utility

41Cited by
30References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 27, 2001
Grant dateMar 11, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 30, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S3/2207
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An electric discharge laser with fast wavelength correction. Fast wavelength correction equipment includes at least one piezoelectric drive and a fast wavelength measurement system and fast feedback response times. In a preferred embodiment, equipment is provided to control wavelength on a slow time frame of several milliseconds, on a intermediate time from of about one to three millisecond and on a very fast time frame of a few microseconds. Techniques include a combination of a relatively slow stepper motor and a very fast piezoelectric driver for tuning the laser wavelength using a tuning mirror. A preferred control technique is described (utilizing a very fast wavelength monitor) to provide the slow and intermediate wavelength control and a piezoelectric load cell in combination with the piezoelectric driver to provide the very fast (few microseconds) wavelength control.

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