Mode-hop-free single frequency solid state laser
US6614818B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/1083
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical resonator has an axial mode frequency tuning rate with respect to temperature matching the peak gain frequency tuning rate, so that mode hops are eliminated. The resonator contains a composite cavity consisting of a gain medium and free space. Preferably, the resonator is a single-frequency solid state laser containing a solid state gain medium defining a physical path length Lg. The optical cavity is defined by a high reflector and output coupler surrounding the gain medium and defining a physical cavity path length Lo. The high reflector and output coupler are mounted on a substrate so that Lo is temperature insensitive. Preferably, the substrate is a thermally insensitive material having a negligible coefficient of thermal expansion; for example, it may be Invar™, Super-Invar™, ULE™ Glass, Zerodur™, and fused silica. Alternately, the substrate is a thermally isolated material that is temperature controlled and insulated from the gain medium. When Lo=Lg, the axial mode tuning rate has a greater magnitude than the peak gain tuning rate. However, Lo/Lg is fixed and designed so that the axial mode tuning rate is identical to the peak gain tuning ra…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.