US5339323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser system for controlling emitted pulse energy
Assignee: Novanta Inc
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Filing: 1993-04-30
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Granted: 1994-08-16
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Expires: 2013-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A laser system (20) controlling laser pulse energy by feedback to the laser Q-switch (34) is disclosed. A feedback signal (40) is used to control the time duration of the high loss state of the Q-switch for automatically adjusting the output pulse energy to substantially equal an energy setpoint (84).
Inventors
- 👤 John Hunter
- 👤 Sunil Gupta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/13; H01S3/136; H01S3/11; H01S3/1123; H01S3/115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A laser system for controlling the energy of emitted light pulses to substantially equal an energy setpoint, comprising: a laser including a Q-switch having high loss and low loss states respectively causing output light emission from said laser to be absent and present; a light detector responsive to said output light emission for producing a feedback signal; and a controller placing said Q-switch in said high loss state for a time duration dependent upon said feedback signal and said energy setpoint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A laser system for controlling the energy of emitted light pulses to substantially equal an energy setpoint, comprising: a laser including a Q-switch having high loss and low loss states respectively causing output light emission from said laser to be absent and present; a light detector responsive to said output light emission for producing a feedback signal; and a controller placing said Q-switch in said high loss state for a time duration dependent upon said feedback signal and said energy setpoint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The laser system of claim 1 wherein; said controller comprises a pulse-width modulator sending pulses having a width sensitive to the difference between said feedback signal and said energy setpoint to said Q-switch; and said Q-switch is in said high loss state when said pulses are present.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The laser system of claim 1 further comprising a partially transparent mirror disposed across said output light emission and wherein said light detector is responsive to light reflected from said mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laser system of claim 1 wherein said laser includes a partially transparent rear mirror and said light detector is responsive to light from said rear mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A laser system for controlling the energy of emitted light pulses, comprising: a laser including a Q-switch having high loss and low loss states respectively causing output light emission from said laser to be absent and present; a light detector responsive to said output light emission for producing a feedback signal; means for inputting an energy setpoint; and control means for placing said Q-switch in said high loss state for a time duration dependent upon said feedback signal and said energy setpoint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
A laser system for controlling the energy of emitted light pulses, comprising: a laser including a Q-switch having high loss and low loss states respectively causing output light emission from said laser to be absent and present; a light detector responsive to said output light emission for producing a feedback signal; means for inputting an energy setpoint; and control means for placing said Q-switch in said high loss state for a time duration dependent upon said feedback signal and said energy setpoint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The laser system of claim 5 wherein; said control means comprises means for communicating pulses having a width sensitive to the difference between said feedback signal and said energy setpoint to said Q-switch; and said Q-switch is in said high loss state when said pulses are present.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for controlling the energy of emitted light pulses, comprising the steps of: providing a laser with a Q-switch having high loss and low loss states respectively causing output light emission from said laser to be absent and present; producing a feedback signal responsive to said output light emission; establishing an energy setpoint; and placing said Q-switch in said high loss state for a time duration dependent upon said feedback signal and said energy setpoint.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for controlling the energy of emitted light pulses, comprising the steps of: providing a laser with a Q-switch having high loss and low loss states respectively causing output light emission from said laser to be absent and present; producing a feedback signal responsive to said output light emission; establishing an energy setpoint; and placing said Q-switch in said high loss state for a time duration dependent upon said feedback signal and said energy setpoint.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said placing step includes the step of communicating pulses having a width sensitive to the difference between said feedback signal and said energy setpoint to said Q-switch and said providing step includes the step of configuring said Q-switch to be in said high loss state when said pulses are present.
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) | 1997-08-15 | 1998-02-14 | 1998-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-15 | 2002-02-14 | 2002-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-15 | 2006-02-14 | 2006-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |