Compact hybrid laser rod and laser system

US9831629B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA · US

Inventors

• George E. Busch · Milan, US
• Farzin Amzajerdian · Thousand Oaks, US
• Diego F. Pierrottet · Poquoson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2016
• Grant date: Nov 28, 2017
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S3/2316
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A hybrid fiber rod includes a fiber core and inner and outer cladding layers. The core is doped with an active element. The inner cladding layer surrounds the core, and has a refractive index substantially equal to that of the core. The outer cladding layer surrounds the inner cladding layer, and has a refractive index less than that of the core and inner cladding layer. The core length is about 30 to 2000 times the core diameter. A hybrid fiber rod laser system includes an oscillator laser, modulating device, the rod, and pump laser diode(s) energizing the rod from opposite ends. The rod acts as a waveguide for pump radiation but allows for free-space propagation of laser radiation. The rod may be used in a laser resonator. The core length is less than about twice the Rayleigh range. Degradation from single-mode to multi-mode beam propagation is thus avoided.