Output coupling from unstable laser resonators
AssigneeKern Technologies, LLC
InventorsPaul E Jackson, Aaron M Kern
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser resonator comprising a specially designed front mirror 32. The front mirror 32 together with a rear mirror form a resonator cavity. As well as having a resonator cavity reflective surface 42, the front mirror 32 also has an output coupling reflective surface 44 which forms a continuation of the resonator cavity reflective surface 42 and extends at an angle thereto so as to direct a beam laterally out of the cavity. The output coupling reflective surface 44 and the resonator cavity reflective surface 44 are joined by a “soft” rounded edge 40 of arcuate cross-section, this rounded transition suppressing diffraction ripples that would otherwise be generated if the edge were “hard”, i.e. sharp.
Claims14
A laser resonator comprising a front mirror and a rear mirror with respective resonator cavity reflective surfaces which in cooperation form an unstable resonator cavity with a principal optical axis, wherein the front mirror further comprises:
- an output coupling reflective surface which couples out an output beam from the laser resonator by reflection and which forms a continuation of the front mirror's resonator cavity reflective surface;
- and
- a curved reflective surface having a rounded edge that forms a smooth transition between the front mirror's resonator cavity surface and the output coupling reflective surface that suppresses formation of diffraction ripples.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.