US4881233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser with improved cooling system
Assignee: Lasag AG
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Filing: 1988-06-22
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Granted: 1989-11-14
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Expires: 2008-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A laser has a slab in which the beam F is propagated in zig-zag manner between two opposing faces which have the property of ensuring total reflection. For this purpose each of these faces is covered with a solid layer of a good heat conducting material and having a refractive index below that of the slab. Its thickness is preferably greater than three times the operating wavelength of the laser. Thus, a cooling fluid can be in contact with the solid layer to effectively cool the slab. Pumped energy sources are preferably provided opposite the layers.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans-Peter von Arb
- 👤 Ulrich Durr
- 👤 Andre Gressly
- 👤 Franz Studer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/0602; H01S3/0606; H01S3/02; H01S3/04; H01S3/042; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/0915; H01S3/092; H01S3/093; H01S3/025; H01S3/0407; H01S3/08; H01S3/08095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A cooled optical pumped laser having a laser medium in the form of a slab, said slab having at least two opposing parallel pumping faces between which a laser beam develops by propagation along a zig-zag path by means of total reflection between said opposing parallel pumping faces whereby a monolayer of solid material is directly applied to each one of said opposing parallel pumping faces, said solid material having a refractive index less than that of the slab and being at least indirectly in heat exchanging relationship with a cooling fluid, and wherein the material of said monolayer of solid material is transparent to the optical energy used to excite the medium of said slab.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A cooled optical pumped laser having a laser medium in the form of a slab, said slab having at least two opposing parallel pumping faces between which a laser beam develops by propagation along a zig-zag path by means of total reflection between said opposing parallel pumping faces whereby a monolayer of solid material is directly applied to each one of said opposing parallel pumping faces, said solid material having a refractive index less than that of the slab and being at least indirectly in heat exchanging relationship with a cooling fluid, and wherein the material of said monolayer of solid material is transparent to the optical energy used to excite the medium of said slab.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A laser according to claim 1, wherein each of said layer of solid material is applied to each pumping face of the slab by a physical or chemical deposition process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laser according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the layer of solid material is at least three times the operating wavelength of the laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser according to claim 1, wherein said layer of solid material is formed of a metal oxide or composite metal oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A laser according to claim 4, wherein said metal oxide or composite metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 or CaO.SiO 2 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser according to claim 1, wherein said layer is formed of a halide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A laser according to claim 6, wherein the layer of solid material is formed of a halide selected from the group consisting of MgF 2 , BaF 2 , AlF 3 , CaF 2 , LaF 3 or NdF 3 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A laser according to claim 1, wherein said layer of solid material is doped with transition metal ions or rare earths.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A laser according to claim 8, wherein the transition metal ions or rare earths are selected from the group consisting of titanium (Tti), chromium (Cr), erbium (Er) or thulium (Tm).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A laser according to claim 1, wherein each layer of solid material applied to the parallel faces of the slab is covered by at least one second layer of a material that is a good heat conductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laser according to claim 10, wherein said second layer is transparent to the optical energy serving to excite the medium of said slab.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A laser according to claim 11, wherein said second layer is applied to the first layer by means of a physical or chemical deposition process.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laser according to claim 10, wherein said second layer is in the form of a sheet and is affixed to said first layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A laser according to claim 10, wherein said second layer is formed of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , CaO.SiO 2 or BeAl 2 O 4 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laser according to claim 10, wherein said second layer is formed of a metal halide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A laser according to claim 15, wherein the metal halide forming said second layer is selected from the group consisting of MgF 2 , AlF 3 , CaF 2 , LiF or KMgF 3 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A laser according to claim 10, wherein a third anti-reflective layer is applied on said first or second layers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A laser according to claim 10, wherein said second layer is held in place by a foil of transparent material that extends beyond the area of this second layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A layer according to claim 1, wherein the faces of the slab other than those with which the said first layer are in contact are exposed to a heat insulating medium such as air or nitrogen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3665335A
Cited
US4769823A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-13 | 1993-05-15 | 1993-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-13 | 1997-05-15 | 1997-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-13 | 2001-05-15 | 2001-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |