Multiple-beam, diode-pumped imaging system
AssigneePresstek, Inc.
InventorJohn Sousa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A single laser crystal is driven with multiple pumping sources to obtain discrete, collimated outputs without substantial thermal crosstalk, so that the action of one pumping source does not adversely interfere with the action of another source driving the same crystal; that is, an imaging output emanating from one crystal region will neither defeat nor spuriously cause an imaging output in another region.
Claims21
Apparatus for imaging a laser-responsive recording construction, the apparatus comprising:
- a. at least one array each comprising a plurality of imaging output sources, the sources of each array being spaced apart from one another by a source-spacing distance and producing an output, each array having a zone width equal to a distance between a first source and a last source;
- b. means for focusing the outputs onto the recording construction as a series of imaging spots spaced apart by spot-pitch distance;
- c. means for indexing each array through the source-spacing distance whereby the image spots shift through the spot-pitch distance in successive increments;
- and
- d. means for indexing each array by the zone width following indexing through the source-spacing distance.
Apparatus for imaging a laser-responsive recording construction, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a plurality of radiation pumping sources;
- b. a laser crystal, responsive to the pumping sources, for producing low-dispersion radiation, the crystal producing a discrete output in response to each of the pumping sources without substantial thermal crosstalk;
- and
- c. means for focusing the outputs from the crystal onto a recording surface.
A laser diode package facilitating removable coupling of an optical fiber to the diode, the package comprising:
- a. a laser diode;
- b. a microlens associated with the laser diode;
- c. a sapphire window having first and second sides, the first side being associated with the microlens;
- and
- d. means for removably receiving the optical fiber such that an end face thereof makes contact with the second face of the sapphire window, a continuous light path extending, with the fiber thus received, from the laser diode to the end face of the fiber.
A laser diode package facilitating removable coupling of an optical fiber extension to the diode, the package comprising:
- a. a laser diode;
- b. a microlens associated with the laser diode;
- c. a connecting optical fiber having first and second ends, the first end receiving radiation exiting the microlens and the second end emerging from the package;
- and
- d. means for aligning an end of the optical fiber extension with the second end of the connecting optical fiber and maintaining contact therebetween.
A method of imaging a laser-responsive recording construction by at least one array each comprising a plurality of imaging output sources, the sources of each array being spaced apart from one another by a source-spacing distance and producing an output, each array having a zone width equal to a distance between a first source and a last source, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. focusing the outputs onto the recording construction as a series of imaging spots spaced apart by spot-pitch distance;
- b. indexing each array through the source-spacing distance whereby the image spots shift through the spot-pitch distance in successive increments;
- and
- c. indexing each array by the zone width following indexing through the source-spacing distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.