Cooled laser q-switch

Claim 2

In a Q-switched laser including a laser medium and a pair of resonators in combination therewith, the improvement comprising a substrate mechanically coupled to one of said resonators and a passive Q-switch mechanically coupled to said substrate to provide good thermal contact between the Q-switch and substrate such that said substrate acts as a heat sink for such Q-switch.

Claim 3

The improvement as recited in claim 1, wherein said substrate is selected for the group consisting of: copper; quartz; and sapphire.

Claim 4

The improvement as recited in claim 1, wherein said pair of resonators includes a totally reflecting resonator and a partially reflecting resonator, said substrate being coupled to the totally reflecting resonator.

Claim 5

The improvement as recited in claim 1, wherein said substrate is a good thermal conducting material.

Claim 6

In a Q-switched laser including a laser medium and a pair of resonators in combination therewith, the improvement comprising a substrate mechanically coupled to one of said resonators and a Q-switch mechanically coupled to said substrate to provide good thermal contact between the Q-switch and substrate such that said substrate acts as a heat sink for said Q-switch, said Q-switch comprising a solution of a dye, a plastic, and a solvent which is deposited on said substrate.

Claim 7

In a Q-switched laser including a laser medium and a pair of resonators in combination therewith, the improvement comprising a substrate mechanically coupled to one of said resonators and a Q-switch mechanically coupled to said substrate to provide good thermal contact between the Q-switch and substrate such that said substrate acts as a heat sink for said Q-switch, said Q-switch comprising a solution of a dye, a plastic, and a solvent which is deposited on said substrate.

Claim 8

The improvement as recited in claim 5 wherein said dye is bis(dimethylaminodithiobenzil)Ni.

Claim 9

The improvement as recited in claim 5, wherein said plastic is an acrylic plastic.

Claim 10

The improvement as recited in claim 7, wherein said acrylic plastic is polymethyl methacrylate.

Claim 11

The improvement as recited in claim 5, wherein said solvent is 1-2 dichloroethane.

Claim 12

In a Q-switched laser system including a laser medium and a pair of resonators forming a cavity in combination therewith, the improvement comprising a passive Q-switch mechanically coupled to a substrate which acts as a heat sink for said Q-switch, said Q-switch and substrate disposed within said cavity and detached from said resonators.

Claim 13

In a Q-switched laser system including a laser medium and a pair of resonators forming a cavity in combination therewith, the improvement comprising a passive Q-switch mechanically coupled to a substrate which acts as a heat sink for said Q-switch, said Q-switch and substrate disposed within said cavity and detached from said resonators.

Claim 14

The improvement as recited in claim 10, said substrate having an anti-reflection coating on one surface thereof.

Claim 15

In a Q-switched laser including a laser medium and a pair of resonators in combination therewith, the improvement comprising a copper substrate mechanically coupled to one of said resonators and a Q-switch mechanically coupled to said copper substrate to provide good thermal contact between the Q-switch and copper substrate, said copper substrate acting as a heat sink for said Q-switch.

Claim 16

In a Q-switched laser including a laser medium and a pair of resonators in combination therewith, the improvement comprising a copper substrate mechanically coupled to one of said resonators and a Q-switch mechanically coupled to said copper substrate to provide good thermal contact between the Q-switch and copper substrate, said copper substrate acting as a heat sink for said Q-switch.

Claim 17

In a Q-switched laser including a laser medium and a pair of resonators in combination therewith, the improvement comprising a substrate of a good thermal conducting material mechanically coupled to one of said resonators, a Q-switch mechanically coupled to said substrate to provide good thermal contact between the Q-switch and substrate, and means for cooling said substrate such that said substrate acts as a heat sink for such Q-switch.

Claim 18

In a Q-switched laser including a laser medium and a pair of resonators in combination therewith, the improvement comprising a substrate of a good thermal conducting material mechanically coupled to one of said resonators, a Q-switch mechanically coupled to said substrate to provide good thermal contact between the Q-switch and substrate, and means for cooling said substrate such that said substrate acts as a heat sink for such Q-switch.