Repetitively pulsed high peak power laser

Abstract

Abstract A high peak power laser is repetitively pulsed by a delay circuit that is synchronized with a Q-switching circuit to provide maximum power output pulses. The laser medium has a fixed reflective mirror at one end of the cavity and a partially reflective output mirror rotating on a shaft at the other end thereof. A hole drilled through the diameter of the shaft has a light source and a photocell at opposite ends thereof. Light passes through the hole and activates the photocell once during each half cycle of shaft rotation. In response to the periodic light beam, the photocell produces an electrical pulse which is coupled to a variable delay circuit. The delay circuit triggers a laser pumping circuit, which discharges a large current through the laser medium, stimulating lasing action therein. The rotating shaft brings the output mirror into perpendicular alignment with the laser cavity and in parallel with the fixed mirror, thereby Q-switching the laser from a nonresonant mode into resonance to discharge a large energy pulse therethrough. By introducing the delay network between the periodic light reference pulse and the signal initiating the electrical discharge pulse through the laser, the delay time between the discharge current and alignment of the rotating mirror can be selected so that the laser output pulses can be varied, occuring after the electrical excitation pulses.

Inventors

• 👤 William B Mcknight

Bibliographic Details