Laser clock signal generators

A laser system comprising:

• a laser beam generator configured to generate pulse laser radiation;
• and
• a laser clock signal generator configured to control the laser beam generator, the laser clock signal generator having:
• a clock signal specification input arranged to receive an external clock specification signal;
• a basic clock signal generator configured to generate a basic clock signal based on the external clock specification signal and output the basic clock signal at a clock signal output to the laser beam generator;
• a controller configured to control the basic clock signal generator;
• and
• an overclocking protector arranged between the basic clock signal generator and the clock signal output,
• wherein the laser clock signal generator further comprises at least one of:
• a logic unit between the clock specification signal input and the basic clock generator, wherein the logic unit is controllable by the controller, or
• a limitation device configured to suppress clock specification signals at a frequency over a predetermined frequency.

A method of generating clock signals by a laser clock signal generator, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a clock signal specification input, an external clock specification signal;
• generating, by a basic clock signal generator, a basic clock signal based on the external clock specification signal;
• controlling, by a controller, the basic clock signal generator;
• and
• outputting, at a clock signal output, the basic clock signal to a laser beam generator such that the laser beam generator generates pulsed laser radiation according to the basic clock signal,
• wherein the laser clock signal generator comprises at least one of:
• a logic unit between the clock specification signal input and the basic clock generator, wherein the logic unit is controllable by the controller, or
• a limitation device configured to suppress clock specification signals at a frequency over a predetermined frequency.

A laser clock signal generator for controlling a laser beam generator to generate pulsed laser radiation, the laser clock signal generator comprising:

• a clock signal specification input arranged to receive an external clock specification signal;
• a basic clock signal generator configured to generate a basic clock signal based on the external clock specification signal and output the basic clock signal at a clock signal output to the laser beam generator;
• a controller configured to control the basic clock generator;
• an overclocking protector arranged between the basic clock generator and the clock signal output;
• and
• a limitation device configured to suppress clock specification signals at a frequency over a predetermined frequency.

A laser clock signal generator for controlling a laser beam generator to generate pulsed laser radiation, the laser clock signal generator comprising:

• a clock signal specification input arranged to receive an external clock specification signal;
• a basic clock signal generator configured to generate a basic clock signal based on the external clock specification signal and output the basic clock signal at a clock signal output to the laser beam generator;
• a controller configured to control the basic clock generator;
• and
• an overclocking protector arranged between the basic clock generator and the clock signal output,
• wherein the laser clock signal generator comprises at least one of:
• a ring accumulator and a frequency register associated with the ring accumulator,
• a measurement device configured to detect a frequency of the external clock specification signal,
• a clock stabilization device configured to limit a sequence of rapid clock latching processes in an event of occurrences of incorrect triggering,
• a limitation device configured to suppress clock specification signals at a frequency below a predetermined frequency,
• a first monitoring device configured to monitor a presence of the external clock specification signal,
• a second monitoring device configured to monitor the synchronization of the basic clock generator with the external clock specification signal, or
• a clock flank debouncing device configured to prevent an incorrect triggering by the external clock specification signal.