Transverse pumped laser amplifier architecture

US8483255B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC · US

Inventors

• Andrew J. Bayramian · Marblehead, US
• Kenneth R. Manes · Brentwood, US
• Robert J. Deri · Pleasanton, US
• Al Erlandson · Livermore, US
• John Caird · San Francisco, US
• Mary L. Spaeth · Brentwood, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 5, 2010
• Grant date: Jul 9, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 9, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S2301/02
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical gain architecture includes a pump source and a pump aperture. The architecture also includes a gain region including a gain element operable to amplify light at a laser wavelength. The gain region is characterized by a first side intersecting an optical path, a second side opposing the first side, a third side adjacent the first and second sides, and a fourth side opposing the third side. The architecture further includes a dichroic section disposed between the pump aperture and the first side of the gain region. The dichroic section is characterized by low reflectance at a pump wavelength and high reflectance at the laser wavelength. The architecture additionally includes a first cladding section proximate to the third side of the gain region and a second cladding section proximate to the fourth side of the gain region.