Header assembly for lasers

Claim 2

A header assembly for optically pumping laser rods comprising in combination: a. a header formed from a thermally and electrically conductive material, said header having at least two angularly extending header locating surfaces and at least two substantially parallel sides; b. a connector formed from an electrically conductive material, said connector having at least two substantially parallel sides; c. means for positioning said connector in substantially parallel relationship to and electrically insulated from said header; d. at least one light emitting member mounted on said header; and e. connecting means for connecting said light emitting member to said header and to said connector.

Claim 3

A header assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said light emitting member includes a light emitting diode.

Claim 4

A header assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said light emitting member includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

Claim 5

A header assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said light emitting member includes a plurality of light emitting diodes with each of said diodes positioned on an individual submount, each submount being secured to said header.

Claim 6

A header assembly for a laser using a laser rod comprising: a. a header including a thermally and electrically conductive body having a tetrahedrally shaped end surface, first opposing sides Having portions depending outwardly from said end surface to form header locating surfaces, and second opposing substantially parallel sides depending from said end surface; b. layers of insulating material attached to the depending substantially parallel sides of the thermally and electrically conductive body for electrically insulating said pair of parallel sides; c. an electrical connector attached to the insulating layer of one of said parallel sides, said electrical connector having an end terminating adjacent to the end surface of said thermally and electrically conductive body; d. at least one light emitting means operatively attached to the end surface of said body; and e. coupling means electrically coupling the at least one light emitting member to the electrical connector; whereby a plurality of said header assemblies may be positioned with their parallel sides successively adjacent to one another to form a linear set of header assemblies and a plurality of sets positioned with locating surfaces abutting adjacent locating surfaces for forming a tubular array for the laser rod.

Claim 7

A header assembly for a laser using a laser rod comprising: a. a header including a thermally and electrically conductive body having a tetrahedrally shaped end surface, first opposing sides Having portions depending outwardly from said end surface to form header locating surfaces, and second opposing substantially parallel sides depending from said end surface; b. layers of insulating material attached to the depending substantially parallel sides of the thermally and electrically conductive body for electrically insulating said pair of parallel sides; c. an electrical connector attached to the insulating layer of one of said parallel sides, said electrical connector having an end terminating adjacent to the end surface of said thermally and electrically conductive body; d. at least one light emitting means operatively attached to the end surface of said body; and e. coupling means electrically coupling the at least one light emitting member to the electrical connector; whereby a plurality of said header assemblies may be positioned with their parallel sides successively adjacent to one another to form a linear set of header assemblies and a plurality of sets positioned with locating surfaces abutting adjacent locating surfaces for forming a tubular array for the laser rod.

Claim 8

A header assembly according to claim 5 wherein said header assembly includes a passage through said substantially parallel surfaces, insulating layers, and connector for a coolant for removing heat from said header.

Claim 9

A header assembly according to claim 5 wherein said header includes a fin formed on the lower surface thereof.

Claim 10

A header assembly according to claim 5 wherein said light emitting means includes a submount positioned on the thermally and electrically conductive body of said header, said submount having a portion thereof in electrical contact with said thermally and electrically conductive body and an insulating portion bearing an electrical lead insulated from said thermally and electrically conductive body, a light emitting diode positioned on said submount with electrical contacts connected respectively to the portion in electrical contact with the thermally and electrically conductive body and electrical lead of said submount; and means electrically coupling said submount lead to said connector.

Claim 11

A header assembly according to claim 5 wherein the outwardly depending portion of said opposing sides of said thermally and electrically conductive body extend above said tetrahedrally shaped end surface and include reflective interior surfaces for reflecting light upwardly for improving the light output of the header assembly.