CO2 laser stabilization systems and methods
US7292616B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 13, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/134
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods for stabilizing a CO2 laser are disclosed. The system includes a detector unit for measuring the power in a select portion of the output beam. The detector unit generates an electrical signal corresponding to the measured power. The modulation frequency of the signal used to modulate the relatively high-frequency radio-frequency (RF) pump signal is filtered from the electrical signal. The filtered electrical signal is then compared to a desired value for the output power in the output beam. Based on the comparison, a modulation control signal for modulating the RF pump signal is formed. The modulation control signal has a varying duty cycle that varies the amount of laser pump power to reduce or eliminate the measured variations in the output beam power. The result is an output beam power that remains stable over time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.