Threshold fluorescence detection for protection of laser systems
US9997889B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/1123
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A laser device includes a gain medium configured to receive an excitation light and emit a fluorescence signal based on an amount of stored excitation light accumulated in the gain medium. The laser device includes a pump source configured to pump the excitation light to the gain medium using a supply voltage. The laser device includes one or more photodetectors configured to detect the fluorescence signal. The laser device also includes a comparator configured to generate an alert signal indicating an intensity of the detected fluorescence signal is greater than a threshold. The alert signal can trigger certain actions to occur for disrupting a destructive lasing action including one or more of ceasing output of the supply voltage to the pump source, spoiling an optical cavity to obstruct lasing action through the gain medium, or inserting a seed light to extract gain from the gain medium in a non-destructive manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.