Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An acousto-optic Q-switch laser comprising: (a) a lasing medium having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis therethrough; (b) an optical resonant cavity including reflecting means mounted substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium and spaced from a first end thereof for reflecting radiation from said lasing medium back to said lasing medium and feedback reflecting means spaced from a second end of the lasing medium for reflecting radiation from said lasing medium; (c) pumping means for pumping the lasing medium; and (d) an acousto-optic switch mounted along and tilted at a preselected angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium between the second end of the lasing medium and said feedback reflecting means, said acousto-optic switch including acoustic-wave transmitting material and first and second acoustic wave generating mechanisms connected to said acoustic-wave transmitting material for generating acoustic waves having opposite velocity vectors therein to substantially eliminate post lasing of the lasing medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An acousto-optic Q-switch laser comprising: (a) a lasing medium having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis therethrough; (b) an optical resonant cavity including reflecting means mounted substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium and spaced from a first end thereof for reflecting radiation from said lasing medium back to said lasing medium and feedback reflecting means spaced from a second end of the lasing medium for reflecting radiation from said lasing medium; (c) pumping means for pumping the lasing medium; and (d) an acousto-optic switch mounted along and tilted at a preselected angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium between the second end of the lasing medium and said feedback reflecting means, said acousto-optic switch including acoustic-wave transmitting material and first and second acoustic wave generating mechanisms connected to said acoustic-wave transmitting material for generating acoustic waves having opposite velocity vectors therein to substantially eliminate post lasing of the lasing medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An acousto-optic Q-switch laser according to claim 1 wherein the first and second acoustic wave generating mechanisms are transducers for converting electrical signals to acoustic waves in the body of acoustic wave transmitting material, and further including an RF source connected to the transducers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An acousto-optic Q-switch laser according to claim 2 wherein the first and second transducers are connected to opposing sides of said acoustic-wave transmitting material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An acousto-optic Q-switch laser according to claim 2 wherein said acoustic wave transmitting material is a slab having the transducers mounted on opposing sides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
An acousto-optic Q-switch laser according to claim 2 wherein said acoustic wave transmitting material is positioned with its center line off a preselected distance from the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium whereby when the transducers are simultaneously actuated by the RF power source acoustic waves having opposing velocity vectors are produced and timed as to each other to eliminate post lasing from occurring in the lasing medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
An acousto-optic Q-switch laser according to claim 2 wherein said acoustic-wave transmitting material is positioned with its center line coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium and the RF source of power includes first and second RF sources, and a time delay mechanism, said first and second RF sources connected to the first and second transducers and to the time delay mechanism whereby the transducers produce opposing acoustic waves having velocity vectors timed to eliminate post lasing from occurring in the lasing medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An acousto-optic Q-switch laser according to claim 2 wherein the body of acoustic-wave transmitting material is taken from the group consisting of quartz and glass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An acousto-optic Q-switch laser according to claim 2 wherein the first and second acoustic wave generating transducers are constructed of lithium niobate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
An acousto-optic Q-switch laser according to claim 2 wherein the acoustic wave of the first transducer reaches the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium at the same time as the acoustic wave of the second transducer reaches the edge of the lasing medium aperture within said switch.