Abstract A laser pump enclosure, divided into two substantially equal halves separated by a window with one-half containing the excitation source or pump while the other half contains the laser material. The window separating the two halves of the enclosure provides a suitable seal so that the half containing the laser material is cooled by a circulating liquid while the other half containing the pump is cooled by heat conduction via a heat sink of solid material placed in direct contact with the pump over a predetermined portion of its surface. The heat absorbed by the heat sink is subsequently transferred to the bulk mass of the respective half of the enclosure which in turn includes supplementary circulatory coolant apparatus. The window may additionally allow for still further cooling of the pump by a liquid coolant circulated around the remainder of the pump surface. Also the window, when desirable, may be comprised of a spectral filter element.
A laser system comprising a cylindrical enclosure divided into two separable cylindrical concave sections having an internal surface highly reflective to light energy, a linear active laser element located wholly within the concave cavity of the first of said cylindrical sections responsive to radiation of some predetermined frequency to cause lasing, means including a light filter window spanning the open side of said first section and sealed thereto to provide a closed chamber enveloping said laser element, a liquid coolant in contact with said laser element and substantially filling the space surrounding said laser element within said closed chamber in which said laser element is located, a linear source of excitation light energy including said predetermined frequency mounted in the second of said cylindrical sections support means separate from the last mentioned means for positioning said second cylindrical section and said linear light source in fixed relation to said closed chamber for enclosing removal of said second cylindrical section and said linear light source without disturbing the seal integrity of said closed chamber said light filter serving to pass to said coolant and said laser medium substantially only said radiation at said predetermined frequency, and a metal heat sink including heat exchanger means mounted on the second of said sections in direct heat transfer contact with said light source for removing heat therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A laser system comprising a cylindrical enclosure divided into two separable cylindrical concave sections having an internal surface highly reflective to light energy, a linear active laser element located wholly within the concave cavity of the first of said cylindrical sections responsive to radiation of some predetermined frequency to cause lasing, means including a light filter window spanning the open side of said first section and sealed thereto to provide a closed chamber enveloping said laser element, a liquid coolant in contact with said laser element and substantially filling the space surrounding said laser element within said closed chamber in which said laser element is located, a linear source of excitation light energy including said predetermined frequency mounted in the second of said cylindrical sections support means separate from the last mentioned means for positioning said second cylindrical section and said linear light source in fixed relation to said closed chamber for enclosing removal of said second cylindrical section and said linear light source without disturbing the seal integrity of said closed chamber said light filter serving to pass to said coolant and said laser medium substantially only said radiation at said predetermined frequency, and a metal heat sink including heat exchanger means mounted on the second of said sections in direct heat transfer contact with said light source for removing heat therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined by claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a flash lamp and said active laser element comprises a laser rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention as defined by claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a flash lamp and wherein said heat sink comprises a bar of metallic heat conductive material having one surface contoured to match the external surface of said flash lamp and having a predetermined length for being in intimate contact with said flash lamp over a substantial portion of its length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention as defined by claim 1, wherein said heat sink comprises a metal bar being in direct contact with said light source for a substantial portion of its length and wherein said heat exchanger means comprises a metallic bulk mass having a coolant system therein adapted to carry coolant through said bulk mass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention as defined by claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a flash lamp and said active laser element comprises a laser rod, and additionally including means for locating said flash lamp and said active laser source in a closely coupled configuration within said cavity, and wherein said heat sink comprises a metallic member having one surface contoured to the shape of said flash lamp.