Laser pulse picking employing controlled AOM loading
US6947454B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K26/06
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A laser (126) and an AOM (10) are pulsed at substantially regular and substantially similar constant high repetition rates to provide working laser outputs (40) with variable nonimpingement intervals (50) without sacrificing laser pulse-to-pulse energy stability. When a working laser output (40) is demanded, an RF pulse (38) is applied to the AOM (10) in coincidence with the laser output (24) to transmit it to a target. When no working laser output (40) is demanded, an RF pulse (38) is applied to the AOM (10) in noncoincidence with the laser output (24) so it gets blocked. So the average thermal loading on the AOM (10) remains substantially constant regardless of how randomly the working laser outputs (40) are demanded. The AOM (10) can also be used to control the energy of the working laser output (40) by controlling the power of the RF pulse (38) applied. When the RF power is changed, the RF duration (44) of the RF pulse (38) is modified to maintain the constant average RF power. Consistent loading on the AOM (10) eliminates deterioration of laser beam quality and laser beam pointing accuracy associated with thermal loading variation on the AOM (10) and is advantageous for applic…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.