Wavelength selectable laser systems and related methods
AssigneeU.S.Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorRobert C. Hoffman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Laser systems and related methods are provided. In this regard, a representative laser system includes: a laser diode array that generates light; a first crystal having a cavity; an optical element operative to focus the generated light onto the first crystal such that the light generates a high-power circulating beam within the cavity; a second crystal positioned with respect to the first crystal such that the frequency of the high-power circulating beam is doubled; and a first coating applied to the first crystal and second coating applied to the second crystal, the first coating and the second coating being operative to cause at least a portion of the beam to be emitted within a particular wavelength range of the generated light.
Claims20
A laser system comprising:
- a light generator for generating a light beam;
- a chromium-doped hydro-thermally grown synthetic crystal having a first optical cavity;
- first reflective means positioned between the light generator and the first optical cavity;
- an optical element operative to focus the generated light beam onto the first reflective means and into said first optical cavity to create a light beam;
- a second crystal having a second optical cavity positioned in alignment with the first optical cavity such that the frequency of the light beam is doubled;
- and
- a second reflective means adjacent to the second crystal, the second reflective means being operative to cause at least a portion of the beam to be emitted as ultraviolet light within an approximate wavelength range of between 337.5 nanometers and 450 nanometers.
A method for generating selectable wavelength emissions, comprising the steps of:
- generating a beam of light;
- focusing the generated light beam onto a first chromium-doped hydro-thermally grown synthetic crystal having a first reflective coating which allows passage of the generated beam of light and reflects light within an approximate wavelength range of 729 nm to 809 nm;
- doubling the frequency of the light beam via a second crystal;
- emitting a portion of the beam based upon a second reflective coating on the second crystal which allows passage of ultraviolet light.
A laser system comprising:
- a laser diode array that generates light;
- a first crystal having a cavity;
- an optical element operative to focus the generated light onto the first crystal such that the light generates a high-power circulating beam within the cavity;
- a second crystal positioned with respect to the first crystal such that the frequency of the high-power circulating beam is doubled;
- a first coating applied to the first crystal;
- and
- a second coating applied to the second crystal, the first coating and the second coating being operative to cause at least a portion of the beam to be emitted as ultraviolet light within a wavelength range of between approximately 337.5 nm and 450 nm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.