Abstract The holders of the present invention are used to maintain the distance between segments of laser material so as to provide a fluid path for a cooling fluid across the surfaces of the laser material segments. The holders are formed in the shape of an elliptical ring having an elliptical opening defined through the center thereof with the ring being adapted to receive an elliptical disc of laser material. The ring is provided with a recessed portion on at least one surface to form a passageway for fluid across the face of the disc of laser material. Spacer means are positioned in recesses on the surface of the elliptical ring to hold each disc of laser material in place and to allow stacking of a plurality of the rings in axial alignment while maintaining a uniform spacing between a plurality of elliptical discs. The invention described herein was made in the performance of work under Air Force Contract No. AF33(615)68C-1104.
In a liquid-cooled axial gradient laser having a plurality of laser discs forming the active laser element with the discs positioned along the optical axis of the laser, the improvement comprising: a holding tube; a plurality of holders, one associated with each laser disc, positioned within said holding tube, each of said holders being shaped as an elliptical ring defining an elliptical opening adapted to receive a laser disc, a recess across the face of said elliptical ring to allow for the passage of the cooling liquid across the face of each laser disc; a recess along one edge of each of said plurality of holders adjacent said holding tube to allow for the passage of cooling liquid along the optical axis of the laser; and spacer means for restraining each laser disc within said holder means and for fixing the spacing between said laser discs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said spacer means is a segmented spacer having a projecting section, the thickness of which is equal to the desired spacing between each laser disc and which projecting segment projects towards the optical axis of the laser between each laser disc, said spacer means having a thicker section for preventing said spacer from falling between said laser discs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said plurality of holders each has at least two recessed sections for receiving a spacer means, said recess having a depth slightly greater than the thickness of the thicker section of said segmented spacer so as to allow each of said holders to contact adjacent holders.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein the edge which is recessed on each one of said plurality of holders is staggered so as to provide a plurality of serial liquid paths along the length of the laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein the edge which is recessed on each one of said plurality of holders is staggered in at least pairs of two so as to provide a plurality of parallel-serial liquid paths along the length of the laser.