Actively Q-switched laser system using quasi-phase-matched electro-optic Q-switch
US7433373B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/109
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A Q-switched laser system is disclosed. The laser system employs a quasi-phase-matched electro-optic (QPM EO) crystal as the laser Q-switch. When applied with a certain modulating electric field, the QPM EO crystal can function as a polarization rotator to rotate the polarization direction of the resonant laser beam in a polarization-dependent laser resonator, thereby switching the laser resonator between high-loss and low-loss cavity states to achieve laser Q-switching. Compared with traditional electro-optic Q-switched laser system, the disclosed laser system is characterized by a low switching-voltage, reduced cost, and compactness. A quasi-phase-matched electro-optically Q-switched wavelength-conversion and wavelength-tunable laser system is also disclosed. The disclosed laser system integrates a QPM electro-optic Q-switch and a QPM nonlinear wavelength converter in a single crystal substrate to perform a high-efficiency intracavity wavelength conversion. The disclosed laser system is therefore simple and compact and has lower system requirements on wall-plug power and higher overall conversion efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.