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US 2011/0085149 A1Published application
Pulsed high-power laser apparatus and methods
OwnerNanda Nathaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In various embodiments, output beams of multiple seed lasers differing in at least one beam characteristic are combined, amplified, and separated according to the beam characteristic(s) for use in, e.g., plateless lithographic printing.
Claims47
A laser apparatus comprising:
- first and second seed lasers each emitting an output beam differing in at least one beam characteristic;
- a coupler for combining the output beams of the seed lasers into a combined beam;
- at least one amplifier for increasing a power of the combined beam, thereby forming an amplified beam;
- and
- a separator for separating the amplified beam into first and second final output beams based on the at least one beam characteristic,
- wherein a line width of the at least one amplifier is less than a line width of the combined beam, whereby Brilliouin scattering is suppressed in the at least one amplifier.
3 more elements
A method of operating a laser apparatus, the method comprising:
- operating first and second seed lasers in a complementary fashion, such that each seed laser emits an output beam only when the other does not, the seed lasers emitting output beams differing in at least one beam characteristic;
- combining the output beams of the seed lasers into a combined beam;
- amplifying the combined beam so as to suppress Brilliouin scattering;
- and
- separating the combined beam into two final output beams differing in the at least one beam characteristic.
2 more elements
A method of printing comprising:
- providing a hydrophilic, ink-receptive lithographic surface having a printing area;
- applying a polar liquid to the printing area for adsorption thereon;
- exposing the liquid-bearing printing area to a laser output in an imagewise fashion, the laser output substantially removing the adsorbed liquid without damaging the printing surface;
- applying ink to the printing area, the ink adhering to the surface only where the polar liquid has been removed by the laser output;
- and
- transferring the ink to a recording medium,
- wherein the imagewise laser output is applied at a frequency exceeding approximately 50 MHz and has a power ranging from approximately 10 W to approximately 100 W.
4 more elements
A method of printing comprising:
- providing a hydrophilic, ink-receptive lithographic surface having a printing area;
- applying ink to the printing area for adsorption thereon;
- exposing the ink-bearing printing area to a laser output in an imagewise fashion, the laser output fixing the adsorbed ink on the printing surface;
- applying a polar liquid to the printing area, the polar liquid removing ink that has not received laser exposure;
- and
- transferring the remaining ink to a recording medium,
- wherein the imagewise laser output is applied at a frequency exceeding approximately 50 MHz and has a power ranging from approximately 10 W to approximately 100 W.
4 more elements
A printing apparatus comprising:
- a hydrophilic, ink-receptive lithographic surface having a printing area;
- means for applying a polar liquid to the printing area for adsorption thereon;
- means for exposing the liquid-bearing printing area to a laser output in an imagewise fashion, whereby the laser output substantially removes the adsorbed liquid without damaging the printing surface;
- means for applying ink to the printing area such that the ink adheres to the surface only where the polar liquid has been removed by the laser;
- and
- means facilitating transfer of the ink to a recording medium,
- wherein the exposing means comprises:
- first and second seed lasers each emitting an output beam differing in at least one beam characteristic;
- a coupler for combining the output beams of the seed lasers into a combined beam;
- an amplifier for increasing a power of the combined beam, thereby forming an amplified beam;
- and
- a separator for separating the amplified beam into the laser output and a second laser output based on the at least one beam characteristic.
9 more elements
A printing apparatus comprising:
- a hydrophilic, ink-receptive lithographic surface having a printing area;
- means for applying ink to the printing area for adsorption thereon;
- means for exposing the ink-bearing printing area to a laser output in an imagewise fashion, whereby the laser output fixes the adsorbed ink on the printing surface;
- means for applying a polar liquid to the printing area to remove ink that has not received laser exposure;
- and
- means facilitating transfer of the remaining ink to a recording medium,
- wherein the exposing means comprises:
- first and second seed lasers each emitting an output beam differing in at least one beam characteristic;
- a coupler for combining the output beams of the seed lasers into a combined beam;
- an amplifier for increasing a power of the combined beam, thereby forming an amplified beam;
- and
- a separator for separating the amplified beam into the laser output and a second laser output based on the at least one beam characteristic.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.