Low-noise monolithic microchip lasers capable of producing wavelengths ranging from IR to UV based on efficient and cost-effective frequency conversion
US7535938B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 14, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 19, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/1673
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for producing low-noise laser output at wavelengths ranging from IR through visible to UV in various operation modes from a monolithic microchip laser comprises schemes of (1) generating one or two fundamental beam(s) from light source(s) selected upon the desired wavelength(s), polarization(s), and other features related to the desired laser output; (2) intracavity beam combination/separation due to the walk-off effect in one or more birefringent crystal(s) transparent to the propagating lights and highly anisotropic; (3) wavelength conversion in one or more nonlinear optical crystal(s); (4) compact and efficient pump source(s); and (5) minimization of intracavity loss/noise. One resonator cavity supports only one fundamental beam, which eliminates the green problem. The gain media can be selected from an extensive group of materials including isotropic and naturally birefringent crystals, with polarization dependent or independent laser emissions. Laser devices constructed in accordance with the inventive method are demonstrated with various configurations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.