Means and method for stabilized optimized temperature phase matched optical parametric generation

Claim 2

In a method for generating an optical parametric beam in which the temperature of a nonlinear crystal can be varied in first and second opposite directions to increase the power output of said beam; the improvement comprising A. continuously measuring the intensity of at least a portion of said beam to generate pulse signals having a rate at least proportional to the measured intensity; B. continuously sampling said pulse signals during consecutive first and second periods; C. counting the number of pulse signals measured during each first and second period and comparing said numbers; D. adjusting the temperature in direct response to any difference in the number of pulse signals counted during said first and second periodS; and E. repeating steps C and D for each sampling period.

Claim 3

In a method as set forth in claim 1 including continually adjusting the temperature in a first direction where the number counted during the second period is greater than the number counted during the first period, reversing the direction to said second direction where said first number of pulse signals is greater than said second number, and discontinuing any adjustment where said number of pulse signals during said first and second periods is equal.

Claim 4

In a system for generating an optical parametric output beam including a nonlinear crystal having means for varying the temperature of said crystal, the improvement comprising: A. means for measuring the intensity of at least a portion of said output beam to provide an output signal proportional to the measured intensity; B. means electrically connected to said measuring means for comparing the output signals between first and second periods; C. logic means for producing control signals proportional to any difference in compared output signals and electrically connected to said means for comparing signals; and D. drive means electrically connected to said logic means and having an output operably connected to said means for varying said crystal temperature, said drive means being responsive to said control signals for controlling said temperature means.

Claim 5

In a system for generating an optical parametric output beam including a nonlinear crystal having means for varying the temperature of said crystal, the improvement comprising: A. means for measuring the intensity of at least a portion of said output beam to provide an output signal proportional to the measured intensity; B. means electrically connected to said measuring means for comparing the output signals between first and second periods; C. logic means for producing control signals proportional to any difference in compared output signals and electrically connected to said means for comparing signals; and D. drive means electrically connected to said logic means and having an output operably connected to said means for varying said crystal temperature, said drive means being responsive to said control signals for controlling said temperature means.

Claim 6

The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said measuring means includes means for splitting said parametrically generated output beam into a sample beam and a main beam and a photon counter positioned to receive said sample beam.

Claim 7

The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for comparing output signals includes a multivibrator for dividing consecutive sampling periods into first and second periods and a bidirectional counter for counting output signals during said first and second periods.

Claim 8

The improvement set forth in claim 3 wherein said drive means comprises a stepping motor connected to a remote programming potentiometer, said potentiometer being electrically connected to said means for varying the temperature of said crystal.

Claim 9

The improvement set forth in claim 3 wherein said measuring means includes a means for splitting said parametric output beam into a sample beam and a main beam, a photomultiplier positioned to receive said sample beam, and an analog-to-digital converter electrically connected to said photomultiplier for providing output pulses proportional to the intensity of said sampled beam.

Claim 10

In a system for generating an optical parametric output beam including a nonlinear crystal having means for varying the temperature of said crystal, the improvement comprising: A. means for splitting said parametric output beam into a sample beam and a main beam; B. detector means positioned to receive said sample beam and generate a pulse output signal having a pulse rate at least proportional to the intensity of said sample beam; C. sampling means electrically connected to the output of said detector means and having first and second output channels, each of said channels being open for first and second periods of consecutive sample periods; D. a counter means having first and second inputs electrically connected to the first and second outputs of said sampling means for counting the number of pulses during said first and second periods to provide an output control signal proportional to any difference between the number of pulses counted between said first and second periods; E. control means coupled to said means for varying the temperature of said crystal and including a stepping motor and potentiometer controlled by said motor and a logic circuit electrically connected to said counter means and to said stepping motor for controlling rotation of said motor in proportion and direction to said control signal.

Claim 11

In a system for generating an optical parametric output beam including a nonlinear crystal having means for varying the temperature of said crystal, the improvement comprising: A. means for splitting said parametric output beam into a sample beam and a main beam; B. detector means positioned to receive said sample beam and generate a pulse output signal having a pulse rate at least proportional to the intensity of said sample beam; C. sampling means electrically connected to the output of said detector means and having first and second output channels, each of said channels being open for first and second periods of consecutive sample periods; D. a counter means having first and second inputs electrically connected to the first and second outputs of said sampling means for counting the number of pulses during said first and second periods to provide an output control signal proportional to any difference between the number of pulses counted between said first and second periods; E. control means coupled to said means for varying the temperature of said crystal and including a stepping motor and potentiometer controlled by said motor and a logic circuit electrically connected to said counter means and to said stepping motor for controlling rotation of said motor in proportion and direction to said control signal.

Claim 12

The improvement claimed in claim 8 wherein said detector means is a phOtomultiplier and including an analog-to-digital converter electrically connected to said photomultiplier to convert signals therefrom to digital pulse form.

Claim 13

The improvement set forth in claim 9 wherein said sampling means is a multivibrator electrically connected to said analog-to-digital converter.