US4546477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pulse transmission or reflection mode laser
Assignee: Department of Defence
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Filing: 1983-04-13
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Granted: 1985-10-08
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Expires: 2003-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A Q-switched laser in which the laser cavity contains on one side of the laser rod (1) a mirror (2) and on the other side of the laser rod (1) in sequence a polarizer (4) and an electro-optical cell (5) and first fold-back reflector means (3) to fold-back the beam to a second reflector (6) arranged to direct the beam back to the polarizer (4) to form a loop around the electro-optical cell (5). The mirror (2) is a partial reflector to allow output from the laser rod (1) through the mirror in pulse reflection mode or is a total reflector to allow output from the polarizer (4) in pulse transmission mode.
Inventors
- 👤 James Richards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/11; H01S3/1123; H01S3/115; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/106; H01S3/107; H01S3/1075; H01S3/1127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A Q-switched laser comprising: a laser rod; a mirror in optical alignment with and disposed on one side of said laser rod and an optical loop including: a polarizer in optical alignment with and disposed on another side of said laser rod opposite said mirror; an electro-optical cell disposed to pass light from and to said laser rod transmitted through said polarizer; fold-back reflector means for folding back light from and to said electro-optical cell; and a reflector disposed to reflect light from said fold-back reflector means to said polarizer along a different axis than that of light passing between said polarizer and said electro-optical cell, and to reflect said light from said polarizer to said fold-back reflector means; said polarizer, said fold-back reflector means and said reflector being disposed to cause light to form said loop around said electro-optical cell such that light of a first polarization travels around said loop in a first direction and light of a second polarization travels around said loop in a second direction opposite said first direction; light of both said first and second polarizations building up in said loop when said electro-optical cell has a predetermined potential state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A Q-switched laser comprising: a laser rod; a mirror in optical alignment with and disposed on one side of said laser rod and an optical loop including: a polarizer in optical alignment with and disposed on another side of said laser rod opposite said mirror; an electro-optical cell disposed to pass light from and to said laser rod transmitted through said polarizer; fold-back reflector means for folding back light from and to said electro-optical cell; and a reflector disposed to reflect light from said fold-back reflector means to said polarizer along a different axis than that of light passing between said polarizer and said electro-optical cell, and to reflect said light from said polarizer to said fold-back reflector means; said polarizer, said fold-back reflector means and said reflector being disposed to cause light to form said loop around said electro-optical cell such that light of a first polarization travels around said loop in a first direction and light of a second polarization travels around said loop in a second direction opposite said first direction; light of both said first and second polarizations building up in said loop when said electro-optical cell has a predetermined potential state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A laser according to claim 1 wherein said mirror is totally reflecting in a pulse transmission mode and the voltage of said electro-optical cell prevents light output when said electro-optical cell is in said predetermined potential state, and causes light of both said first and second polarisations to be output through said polarizer when said electro-optical cell is in another potential state different from said predetermined potential state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laser according to claim 2 wherein said cell voltage is removable at peak power to cause said output through a side of said polariser opposite said reflector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A laser according to claim 1 wherein said mirror is partially reflective in a pulse reflection mode to allow light output from said laser rod through said mirror when said electro-optical cell is in said predetermined potential state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A Q-switched laser according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said fold back reflector means and said reflector is a prism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A Q-switched laser according to claim 1 wherein one of said fold-back reflector means and said reflector is a dielectric mirror.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-07 | 1989-04-08 | 1989-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-07 | 1993-04-08 | 1993-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-07 | 1997-04-08 | 1997-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |