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US5703890A
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Microlaser cavity, a solid state pulsed microlaser with active Q-switching by a micromodulator and method forming same
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1996-06-14
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Granted: 1997-12-30
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Expires: 2016-06-14
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a microlaser cavity, with active Q switching, characterized in that it comprises: an active laser medium (20), an input mirror (22) and an output mirror (24, 87) defining the cavity, a micromodulator with frustrated total internal reflection, comprising two microprisms (32, 34) made of a certain material of index n 1 each having at least one planar face (36, 38), the two planar faces being approximately parallel to each other and inclined on the microlaser cavity axis, thereby defining a plate (30) of a certain material of index n 2 less than n 1 . means (44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54) for varying the thickness of the plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Philippe Thony
- 👤 Marc Rabarot
- 👤 Engin Molva
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/0627; H01S3/10; H01S3/11; H01S3/1123; H01S3/121; H01S3/0602; H01S3/0615
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A microlaser cavity with active Q switching comprising: an active laser medium, an input mirror and an output mirror defining the cavity, a micromodulator with frustrated total internal reflection, comprising two microprisms made of a certain material of index n 1 each having at least one planar face, the two planar faces being approximately parallel to each other and inclined onto the microlaser cavity axis, thereby defining a plate of a certain material of index n 2 less than n 1 , means for varying the thickness of the plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A microlaser cavity with active Q switching comprising: an active laser medium, an input mirror and an output mirror defining the cavity, a micromodulator with frustrated total internal reflection, comprising two microprisms made of a certain material of index n 1 each having at least one planar face, the two planar faces being approximately parallel to each other and inclined onto the microlaser cavity axis, thereby defining a plate of a certain material of index n 2 less than n 1 , means for varying the thickness of the plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A microlaser cavity according to claim 1, the means for varying the thickness of the plate being essentially situated between the two microprisms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A microlaser cavity according to one of claims 1 or 2, the two faces which are approximately parallel to each other and inclined on the laser axis being each extended on both sides by two planar faces positioned approximately perpendicular to the microlaser cavity axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A microlaser cavity according to one of claims 1 or 2, the means for varying the thickness of the plate being piezoelectric means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A microlaser cavity according to claim 4, the piezoelectric means comprising at least one piezoelectric crystal essentially situated in the gap between the two prisms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A microlaser cavity according to claim 5, the polarization electrodes of the piezoelectric crystal being positioned on either side of this crystal, each of these electrodes being situated on a face or on the surface of one of the two prisms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A microlaser cavity according to claim 4, the piezoelectric material having a high coefficient of piezoelectric tensor d 15 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A microlaser cavity according to one of claims 1 or 2, the means for varying the thickness of the plate being electrostatic means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A microlaser cavity according to claim 8, the two prisms being connected through at least one fixed point, the electrostatic means comprising two electrodes, each being positioned on a face or on the surface of one of the two prisms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A microlaser cavity according to claim 9, one of the two prisms being fitted with a microbeam on a part of which one of the electrodes is at least partially deposited.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A microlaser cavity according to one of claims 1 or 2, the cavity being stabilized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A microlaser cavity according to one of claims 1 or 2, the output mirror of the cavity being a maximum reflection mirror, a polished face being additionally provided, on the sides of the microlaser for the output of the laser beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A microlaser cavity according to one of claims 1 or 2, the micromodulator being deposited directly on the active laser medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A microlaser comprising a microlaser cavity according to one of claims 1 or 2, and cavity optical pumping means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of manufacturing a microlaser cavity with active Q switching comprising: a step of forming, on an active laser medium, a micromodulator with frustrated total internal reflection, a step of forming means to vary the thickness of the plate, a step of forming the input and output mirrors of the cavity.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of manufacturing a microlaser cavity with active Q switching comprising: a step of forming, on an active laser medium, a micromodulator with frustrated total internal reflection, a step of forming means to vary the thickness of the plate, a step of forming the input and output mirrors of the cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method according to claim 15, the formation of the micromodulator comprising the forming of a first microprism made of a material of index n 1 , then the forming of a second microprism also made of a material of index n 1 , each having at least one planar face, the two faces being approximately parallel to each other and inclined on the microlaser cavity axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 16, comprising, in addition, the forming on both sides of each planar face, of two other planar faces, positioned substantially perpendicular to the microlaser axis.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
39 words
A method according to one of claims 16 or 17, the step of forming the means for varying the thickness of the plate occurring after the forming of the first microprisms and before the forming of the second microprism.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
23 words
A method according to one of claims 16 to 18, also comprising a step of depositing a core material between the two microprisms.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
23 words
A method according to one of claims 15 to 18, comprising, in addition, a step of producing means for optically stabilizing the cavity.
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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) | 2000-12-29 | 2001-06-30 | 2001-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-29 | 2005-06-30 | 2005-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-29 | 2009-06-30 | 2009-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |