US5130995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser with Brewster angled-surface Q-switch alinged co-axially
Assignee: Viavi Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1989-04-25
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Granted: 1992-07-14
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Expires: 2009-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A miniature laser cavity in which a solid-state lasing gain element and a Q-switch have respective end surfaces at substantially the Brewster angle, parallel to and facing each other, and separated by a narrow gap occupied by a transparent low-index-of-refraction material.
Inventors
- 👤 William M. Grossman
- 👤 Richard W. Wallace
- 👤 Leonard Pearson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:07
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/11; H01S3/1123; H01S3/117
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A laser means comprising: an optical resonator cavity formed by a front mirror element and an opposing back mirror element which define between them an optical axis having a specified length, at least one of said mirror elements having a curvature, around said optical axis, concave towards the other one of said mirror elements; a solid-state lasing gain element disposed inside said cavity and having a longitudinal centerline parallel to the optical axis through a first one of said mirror elements, a longitudinally outer end adjacent said first mirror element, and a longitudinally opposite inner end with a planar surface which is at its Brewster angle from an axis normal to said gain element centerline; and an acousto-optic Q-switch disposed inside said cavity and having a longitudinal centerline parallel to the optical axis through the second one of said mirror elements, a longitudinally outer end adjacent said second mirror element, and a longitudinally opposite inner end with a planar surface which is at its Brewster angle from an axis normal to said Q-switch centerline and is substantially parallel to said inner end surface of said gain element; said two inner end surfaces being separated by a first gap having a length, measured normal to said surfaces, not exceeding one-fourth of said specified length of said optical axis, whereby said cavity minimizes astigmatism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A laser means comprising: an optical resonator cavity formed by a front mirror element and an opposing back mirror element which define between them an optical axis having a specified length, at least one of said mirror elements having a curvature, around said optical axis, concave towards the other one of said mirror elements; a solid-state lasing gain element disposed inside said cavity and having a longitudinal centerline parallel to the optical axis through a first one of said mirror elements, a longitudinally outer end adjacent said first mirror element, and a longitudinally opposite inner end with a planar surface which is at its Brewster angle from an axis normal to said gain element centerline; and an acousto-optic Q-switch disposed inside said cavity and having a longitudinal centerline parallel to the optical axis through the second one of said mirror elements, a longitudinally outer end adjacent said second mirror element, and a longitudinally opposite inner end with a planar surface which is at its Brewster angle from an axis normal to said Q-switch centerline and is substantially parallel to said inner end surface of said gain element; said two inner end surfaces being separated by a first gap having a length, measured normal to said surfaces, not exceeding one-fourth of said specified length of said optical axis, whereby said cavity minimizes astigmatism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
141 words
A laser means as recited in claim 1 wherein said second mirror element comprises a separate substrate which has an outer side coated with a partially reflective dielectric and has an inner side with a planar surface which is at the Brewster angle from an axis normal to said optical axis through said substrate, and wherein said Q-switch has on its outer end a planar surface which is at the Brewster angle from an axis normal to said Q-switch centerline and is parallel to said inner side surface of said second mirror element; said outer end surface of said Q-switch and said inner side surface of said second mirror element being separated by a second gap, said first and second gaps having lengths, measured normal to respective pairs of said surfaces, in total not exceeding one-fourth of said optical axis length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A laser means as recited in claim 1 wherein said gap is occupied by a transparent gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A laser means as recited in claim 1 wherein said Brewster-angles of said gain element and Q-switch surfaces are equal to within a tolerance of 0.6 degrees.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A laser means as recited in claim 4 wherein said gain element comprises titanium-doped sapphire and said Q-switch comprises SF10 glass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser means as recited in claim 4 wherein said gain element comprises Nd:YAG and said Q-switch comprises SF6 glass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser means as recited in claim 4 wherein said gain element comprises Nd:YLF and said O-switch comprises fused silica.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser means as recited in claim 4 wherein said gain element comprise Nd:YAG and said O-switch comprises SF10 glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A laser means as recited in claim 7 wherein said Q-switch comprises a piezo-electric transducer and drive means for applying acoustic waves at radio frequencies in excess of 50 megahertz in a direction at the Bragg angle from perpendicular to said centerline of said Q-switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
A laser cavity comprising: a solid-state laser gain material, a back-mirror element, an acousto-optic Q-switch material, and an end mirror material with a partially-transmissive coating forming a front-mirror element, said materials having substantially matching indices of refraction, said gain and Q-switch materials having respective inner ends with Brewster-angled surfaces separated by a first air gap, and said Q-switch and end mirror materials having, respectively, an outer end and an inner side with Brewster-angled surfaces separated by a second air gap, said first and second gaps having lengths in total not exceeding one-fourth of the distance between said back-mirror element and said front-mirror element, whereby said cavity minimizes astigmatism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
A laser cavity comprising: a solid-state laser gain material, a back-mirror element, an acousto-optic Q-switch material, and an end mirror material with a partially-transmissive coating forming a front-mirror element, said materials having substantially matching indices of refraction, said gain and Q-switch materials having respective inner ends with Brewster-angled surfaces separated by a first air gap, and said Q-switch and end mirror materials having, respectively, an outer end and an inner side with Brewster-angled surfaces separated by a second air gap, said first and second gaps having lengths in total not exceeding one-fourth of the distance between said back-mirror element and said front-mirror element, whereby said cavity minimizes astigmatism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A laser cavity as recited in claim 10 wherein said gain material has, opposite its Brewster-angled inner end surface, a curved outer end surface with a coating forming said back-mirror element that reflects light at wavelengths resonating within the laser cavity, and said end mirror material has, opposite its Brewster-angled inner side surface, a flat outer side surface with said partially-transmissive coating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
A laser cavity as recited in claim 10 wherein said gain material has, opposite its Brewster-angled inner end surface, a flat outer end surface with a coating forming said back-mirror element that reflects light at wavelengths resonating within the laser cavity, and said end mirror material has, opposite its Brewster-angled inner side surface, a curved outer side surface with said partially-transmissive coating.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
A laser cavity as recited in claim 10 wherein said gain material has, opposite its Brewster-angled inner end surface, a curved outer end surface with a coating forming said back-mirror element that reflects light at wavelengths resonating within the laser cavity, and said end mirror material has, opposite its Brewster-angled inner side surface, a curved outer side surface with said partially-transmissive coating.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
A laser cavity as recited in claim 10 wherein said gain material has, opposite its Brewster-angled inner end surface, a flat outer end surface with a coating forming said back-mirror element that reflects light at wavelengths resonating within the laser cavity, and said end mirror material has, opposite its Brewster-angled inner side surface, a flat outer side surface with said partially-transmissive coating, and forms a resonant cavity by thermal lensing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A laser cavity as recited in claim 10 wherein said Brewster angles are equal to within a tolerance of 0.6 degrees.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A laser cavity as recited in claim 10 wherein said laser gain material comprises Nd:YLF and said Q-switch and end mirror materials comprise fused silica.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A laser cavity as recited in claim 10 wherein said laser gain material comprises Nd:YAG and said Q-switch and end mirror materials comprise SF10 glass.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A laser cavity as recited in claim 10 and further comprising a mounting structure with solder mountings for supporting said gain material and said end mirror material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A laser cavity as recited in claim 18 and further comprising a heat sink coupled to said gain material.
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) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-01-13 | 1996-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-14 | 2000-01-13 | 2000-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-14 | 2004-01-13 | 2004-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |