Single laser transmitter for Q-switched and mode-locked vibration operation
US6650685B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/106
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multifunctional laser (10) which, in a first operational mode, outputs a mode-locked beam for vibration sensing applications and, in a second operational mode, outputs a Q switched illumination beam for imaging applications. The inventive laser (10) includes a resonant cavity (110, 120, 190); a gain medium (100) disposed with the cavity; a first arrangement (150) in communication with the medium for causing a Q-switched signal to be transmitted from the cavity; a second arrangement (180) in communication with the medium for causing a mode-locked signal to be transmitted from the cavity; and a mechanism (130, 140) for switching between the first arrangement and the second arrangement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.