Q-switched laser with passive discharge assembly
US7970031B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 11, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/061
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention concern a passive discharge assembly comprising one or more substantially sharp electrode pins that are positioned proximate to a charged, insulating surface, such as the optical entrance and exit surface of a Q-switch crystal, e.g., lithium niobate (LiNbO3). The electrode pins are connected either to the ground or, alternatively, to a static source of neutralizing charge. The purpose of the electrodes is to ionize the air near the tips due to the high electric field generated by the surface charge. The air ions, in turn, neutralize the surface charge as they are attracted to the surface due to the electrical attraction. In the absence of a surface charge, no air ionization occurs. In one embodiment, the electrode pins are located near the Q-switch crystal surface, but outside the path of the laser beam propagating into and out of the Q-switch crystal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.