US4630275A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled slow Q-switch
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1984-12-10
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Granted: 1986-12-16
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Expires: 2004-12-10
Abstract
Abstract By applying to a laser Q-switch a staircase-shaped control signal, a plurality of laser pulses are emitted with controlled energy and time separation. Compared with conventional Q-switching, the invention enables the laser to emit pulses with shorter time intervals, narrower linewidths, higher output energy, and more uniform power density across the laser beam cross section. The apparatus and method are particularly well-suited for use with low-gain lasers, such as alexandrite.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Rapoport
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/11; H01S3/1123; H01S3/117; H01S3/10038; H01S3/10084; H01S3/10092; H01S3/106; H01S3/1068; H01S3/13; H01S3/1306; H01S3/136
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A slowly Q-switched laser comprising: (a) an optical resonator having reflector means at either end; (b) a laser medium disposed within the resonator; (c) means for exciting the laser medium to emit coherent radiation; (d) an acousto-optical Q-switch mounted between the laser medium and the reflector at one end of the resonator; and (e) means for applying to the Q-switch a control signal having a staircase-shaped time dependence which reduces the losses in said resonator in a plurality of steps, thereby producing a series of laser pulses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A slowly Q-switched laser comprising: (a) an optical resonator having reflector means at either end; (b) a laser medium disposed within the resonator; (c) means for exciting the laser medium to emit coherent radiation; (d) an acousto-optical Q-switch mounted between the laser medium and the reflector at one end of the resonator; and (e) means for applying to the Q-switch a control signal having a staircase-shaped time dependence which reduces the losses in said resonator in a plurality of steps, thereby producing a series of laser pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The laser of claim 1 further comprising means for injection locking.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser of claim 1 in which the laser is tunable and further comprises tuning means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The laser of claim 3 in which the tuning means provides injection locking.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The laser of claim 1 in which the laser medium is alexandrite.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for obtaining multiple Q-switch pulses comprising (a) providing a laser that has a resonant cavity and a Q-switch for controlling the loss in the resonant cavity, with a certain Q-switch pulse buildup time, and (b) operating the laser while applying to the Q-switch a staircase-shaped control signal to reduce the loss in a plurality of steps.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for obtaining multiple Q-switch pulses comprising (a) providing a laser that has a resonant cavity and a Q-switch for controlling the loss in the resonant cavity, with a certain Q-switch pulse buildup time, and (b) operating the laser while applying to the Q-switch a staircase-shaped control signal to reduce the loss in a plurality of steps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 in which the time interval between a pair of successive steps is less than the Q-switch pulse buildup time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6 in which the laser is tunable and the tuning is changed to provide successive pulses at different wavelengths.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 in which tuning is accomplished by injection-locking.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-15 | 1990-06-16 | 1990-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-15 | 1994-06-16 | 1994-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-15 | 1998-06-16 | 1998-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |