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US 11,128,098 B2Granted
Characterizing an optical element
AssigneeQuantum-Si Incorporated
InventorsJonathan C. Schultz, Andrey V. Okishev, Craig Wenger, Brittany Lathrop, Faisal R. Ahmad
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for characterizing an optical element. The optical element is part of a laser and is mounted on a translation stage to scan the optical element transverse to an intracavity laser beam. A performance characteristic of the laser is recorded as a function of position of the optical element.
Claims39
An optical characterization apparatus comprising:
- a laser system comprising:
- a laser that generates a laser beam;
- and
- a laser cavity having a first mirror and a second mirror that receive and direct the laser beam in a third direction;
- and
- an optical detection system comprising:
- a two-dimensional translation stage configured to translate the second mirror in a first direction and second direction substantially perpendicular to the third direction;
- and
- a controller, coupled to the optical detection system and the two-dimensional translation stage, that
- controls operation of the two-dimensional translation stage based on a detected at least one property of the laser beam;
- wherein the optical detection system receives from the laser system the laser beam and detects the at least one property of the laser beam and characterizes performance of the second mirror therefrom;
- wherein the first mirror is an output coupler configured to emit at least a portion of the laser beam from the laser cavity and wherein the second mirror is a saturable absorber mirror and the performance characterized includes at least one of mode-locking performance and optical power.
9 more elements
An optical characterization apparatus comprising:
- a laser system configured to generate an intracavity laser beam having a beam axis;
- a positioning mount arranged to hold an optical element so that the optical element receives the intracavity laser beam and can move the optical element substantially transverse to the beam axis;
- an optical detection system that receives from the laser the laser beam and detects at least one property of the laser beam and characterizes therefrom performance of the optical element as it functions within the laser system;
- and
- a controller, coupled to the optical detection system and positioning mount, that controls operation of the positioning mount based on the detected at least one property of the laser beam;
- wherein the first mirror is an output coupler configured to emit at least a portion of the laser beam from the laser cavity and wherein the second mirror is a saturable absorber mirror and the performance characterized includes at least one of mode-locking performance and optical power.
3 more elements
A method of characterizing an optical element, the method comprising:
- scanning the optical element substantially transverse to an intracavity beam of a laser system;
- and
- determining a performance characteristic of the optical element as a function of a measured property of the laser beam;
- and
- controlling movement of the optical element based on the determination;
- wherein the optical element is saturable absorber and the performance characterized includes at least one of mode-locking repetition rate, pump threshold, quality, and power expended.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.