Multi-wavelengths infrared laser
US6567431B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/1653
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A long wavelength infrared laser system is disclosed where radiation from laser sources such as frequency-doubled Nd:YAG or a Cr:LiSAF is used to resonantly pump a gain medium consisting of a holmium-doped fluoride crystal having a high active ion concentration. The laser pump source has a pulse duration that may be short enough to gain switch a particular transition or long enough to allow end-pumping with high energy densities without damage. The gain material has an absorption approximately resonant with the pump source wavelength, and the dopant concentration is selected to maximize absorption strength for a given excitation. The output radiation from the laser system consists of one or more wavelengths including, in particular 3.9 nm but also other infrared wavelengths such as 1.4 &mgr;m, 2.9 &mgr;m and 3.4 &mgr;m., several of which may be produced simultaneousely from the same laser material through the mechanism of cascade transitions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.