Laser
AssigneeLeonardo UK Ltd
InventorsRobert Lamb, Ian Elder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser is disclosed having a housing formed of a block of glass-ceramic. The block is machined (or otherwise formed) to define one or more channels that act as a waveguide in two dimensions for light within the laser resonator. The channels extend between cavities also formed within the block which retain optical components of the laser, e.g. one or more of the gain medium, cavity mirrors, intermediate reflectors etc. The positioning, shape and size of each cavity is bespoke for the optical component it holds in order that each optical component is retained in optical alignment rigidly against the sides of the cavity.
Claims17
A laser comprising:
- a gain medium;
- resonator mirrors;
- a pump mechanism configured to energise the gain medium and a hollow waveguide;
- wherein the hollow waveguide is arranged between the gain medium and at least one of the resonator mirrors to guide light between the gain medium and at least one of the resonator mirrors, the laser including a single integral piece body that:
- defines one or more conduits that provide, at least in part, the hollow waveguide, and
- includes one or more cavities to retain the resonator mirrors;
- and
- wherein cross-sectional dimensions of the hollow waveguide are configured to select a beam that is predominantly at lowest order TEM00 mode, that extends substantially the entire distance between the gain medium and the at least one resonator mirrors.
A method of manufacturing a laser comprising:
- providing a first single integral piece body that defines at least part of each of:
- two cavities;
- and
- a conduit that extends between the cavities, the conduit, when the laser is in use, acting as a hollow waveguide for light between the cavities, wherein the hollow waveguide provides an optical path, with cross-sectional dimensions which preferentially select a beam with the lowest order mode, that extends substantially the entire distance between a gain medium and at least one resonator mirrors;
- and
- locating a first optical component of the laser in one of the two cavities and a further optical component of the laser in a second of the two cavities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.