Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of reducing the number of modes oscillating in a continuously pumped repetitively Q-switched laser which characteristically produces relaxation oscillations when the gain of the laser becomes slightly greater than the hold-off loss of the Q-switch, consisting of the steps of allowing the laser to produce relaxation oscillations through use of a Q-switch having a hold-off loss greater than the laser gain but insufficient to hold off laser oscillation indefinitely; detecting the first pulse of said relaxation oscillations, and immediately opening the Q-switch for establishing a high Q condition in response to the detection of said first relaxation oscillation pulse to decrease the loss introduced by the Qswitch to below the laser gain and to cause a giant output pulse.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of reducing the number of modes oscillating in a continuously pumped repetitively Q-switched laser which characteristically produces relaxation oscillations when the gain of the laser becomes slightly greater than the hold-off loss of the Q-switch, consisting of the steps of allowing the laser to produce relaxation oscillations through use of a Q-switch having a hold-off loss greater than the laser gain but insufficient to hold off laser oscillation indefinitely; detecting the first pulse of said relaxation oscillations, and immediately opening the Q-switch for establishing a high Q condition in response to the detection of said first relaxation oscillation pulse to decrease the loss introduced by the Qswitch to below the laser gain and to cause a giant output pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 in which said Q-switch is opened prior to occurrence of the second pulse of relaxation oscillations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 which includes opening said switch within 5 microseconds after the beginning of said relaxation oscillations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a continuously-pumped, repetitively Q-switched laser having a resonant cavity defined by an optical axis and a high reflection mirror and a transmitting mirror, an active Q-switching transducer traversing said axis within said cavity, and means for biasing said transducer between closed and open states to produce an actual hold off loss which is greater than the laser gain but which is insufficient to hold off laser oscillatIon indefinitely so that relaxation oscillation pulses are eventually generated, the improvement of means for producing a trigger signal in response to generation of the initial relaxation oscillation pulse by said laser with said insufficient hold off loss, and means for applying said trigger signal to said biasing means for suddenly opening said transducer whereby the laser produces a giant output pulse.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a continuously-pumped, repetitively Q-switched laser having a resonant cavity defined by an optical axis and a high reflection mirror and a transmitting mirror, an active Q-switching transducer traversing said axis within said cavity, and means for biasing said transducer between closed and open states to produce an actual hold off loss which is greater than the laser gain but which is insufficient to hold off laser oscillatIon indefinitely so that relaxation oscillation pulses are eventually generated, the improvement of means for producing a trigger signal in response to generation of the initial relaxation oscillation pulse by said laser with said insufficient hold off loss, and means for applying said trigger signal to said biasing means for suddenly opening said transducer whereby the laser produces a giant output pulse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The laser according to claim 4 in which said producing means comprises an optical detector adjacent to said high reflection mirror externally of said cavity and producing an output in response to said first relaxation-oscillation pulse, and a pulse generator responsive to the output of said detector for changing the operating state of said transducer from closed to open.