US5260964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Graded reflectivity mirror resonators for lasers with a gain medium having a non-circular cross-section
Assignee: Institut National d'Optique
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Filing: 1992-06-26
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Granted: 1993-11-09
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Expires: 2012-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A resonator for the modal control of a laser with a gain medium having a non-circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the resonator. It has a graded reflectivity mirror as the output coupler. The graded reflectivity mirror consists of a partial reflector which has a reflectivity that varies gradually according to the position on the mirror's surface. The resonator is either astigmatic or the graded reflectivity mirror has a non circularly symmetric reflectivity profile or both. It allows the production of a good optical quality beam with an efficient energy extraction.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Morin
- 👤 Gaetan Duplain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08059; H01S3/08063; H01S3/06; H01S3/0602; H01S3/0606; H01S3/08095; H01S3/081; H01S3/0818
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A resonator for a laser with a gain medium having a non-circular cross-section, said resonator comprising: a first mirror having a center of curvature and a uniform reflectivity; and a graded reflectivity mirror facing said first mirror, said graded reflectivity mirror also having a center of curvature, said centers of curvature of said first mirror and said graded reflectivity mirror being situated on a same optical axis, wherein said graded reflectivity mirror has non-circular iso-reflectivity curves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A resonator for a laser with a gain medium having a non-circular cross-section, said resonator comprising: a first mirror having a center of curvature and a uniform reflectivity; and a graded reflectivity mirror facing said first mirror, said graded reflectivity mirror also having a center of curvature, said centers of curvature of said first mirror and said graded reflectivity mirror being situated on a same optical axis, wherein said graded reflectivity mirror has non-circular iso-reflectivity curves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
A resonator for a laser with a gain medium having a non-circular cross-section, said resonator comprising: a first mirror having a center of curvature and a uniform reflectivity; and a graded reflectivity mirror facing said first mirror, said graded reflectivity mirror also having a center of curvature, said centers of curvature of said first mirror and said graded reflectivity mirror being situated on a same optical axis perpendicular to an x and a y axis that are also perpendicular to one another, wherein said resonator is astigmatic with principal axes parallel to the said x and y axes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A resonator for a laser with a gain medium having a non-circular cross-section, said resonator comprising: a first mirror having a center of curvature and a uniform reflectivity; and a graded reflectivity mirror facing said first mirror, said graded reflectivity mirror also having a center of curvature, said centers of curvature of said first mirror and said graded reflectivity mirror being situated on a same optical axis perpendicular to an x and a y axis that are also perpendicular to one another, wherein said resonator is astigmatic with principal axes parallel to the said x and y axes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The resonator of claim 2, wherein said resonator is unstable along said x axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The resonator of claim 3, wherein said resonator is unstable along said y axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The resonator of claim 4, wherein the said GRM has non-circular iso-reflectivity curves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The resonator of claim 3, wherein said first mirror and said GRM are cylindrical and flat along said y axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The resonator of claim 6, wherein the said GRM has non-circular iso-reflectivity curves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The resonator of claim 3, wherein the said resonator is stable along said y axis and the iso-reflectivity curves of said GRM are straight lines along said y axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The resonator of claim 3, wherein the said resonator is stable along said y axis and the iso-reflectivity curves of said GRM are concentric circles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The resonator of claim 3, wherein the said resonator supports a mode which matches that of a planar waveguide along said y axis.
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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) | 1996-11-08 | 1997-05-10 | 1997-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-08 | 2001-05-10 | 2001-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-08 | 2005-05-10 | 2005-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |