Side-pumped active mirror solid-state laser for high-average power
US6625193B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/02
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and method for achieving improved performance in a solid-state laser. The solid-state laser apparatus preferably uses a laser gain medium in the shape of a disk wherein optical pump radiation is injected into the peripheral edge of the disk. In the preferred embodiment the laser gain medium is provided with optical coatings for operation in the active mirror configuration. Furthermore, the laser gain medium is pressure-clamped to a rigid, cooled substrate, which allows it to maintain a prescribed shape even when experiencing significant thermal load. A cooling medium can be provided to a heat exchanger internal to the substrate and/or flowed through the passages on the substrate surface, thereby directly cooling the laser gain medium. Sources of optical pump radiation are placed around the perimeter of the gain medium. Tapered ducts may be disposed between the sources and the gain medium for the purpose of concentrating optical pump radiation. With the proper choice of laser gain medium doping, pump source divergence and geometry, a uniform laser gain is achieved across large portions of the gain medium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.