Fully relayed regenerative amplifier

Claim 1

A regenerative laser apparatus comprising: a first focusing means for focusing laser light; a second focusing means for focusing laser light with said first and second focusing means being spaced apart to form a common focusing region therebetween; a first reflective means for reflecting laser light; at least one second reflective means for reflecting laser light; said first and second reflecting means being positioned and optically aligned to form a closed optical path of aperture in excess of 20 cm. wherein laser light traversing said optical path also traverses the common focusing region; a spatial filtering means for suppressing the effects of beam breakup, the spatial filtering means being located at the common focusing region; optical relay means for forming an optical relay of substantially zero optical path difference by positioning and maintaining the optical alignment of the first and second focusing means and the first and second reflective means in the closed optical path whereby laser light in a regenerative amplifier can be reimaged in the optical relay; switch means for switching laser light into and out of the closed optical path; amplifier means for amplifying light in the closed optical path until the laser light is in excess of 4 J/cm 2 .

Claim 16

A method for producing a laser beam with a maximum fill factor in a regenerative laser, the method comprising the steps of: forming an optical relay of substantially zero optical path difference; forming a closed optical path of aperture in excess of 20 cm., including the optical relay, thereby creating an optical cavity; forming a spatial filter for suppressing the effects of laser beam breakup in the optical cavity; injecting laser light into the optical path; amplifying the laser light until the laser light is in excess of 4 J/cm 2 ; switching the laser light out of the optical path.

Claim 17

A method for producing a laser beam with a maximum fill factor in a regenerative laser, the method comprising the steps of: forming an optical relay of substantially zero optical path difference; forming a closed optical path of aperture in excess of 20 cm., including the optical relay, thereby creating an optical cavity; forming a spatial filter for suppressing the effects of laser beam breakup in the optical cavity; injecting laser light into the optical path; amplifying the laser light until the laser light is in excess of 4 J/cm 2 ; switching the laser light out of the optical path.