Passively q-switched laser and laser system for ranging applications
OwnerThomas James Kane, John Lawrence Nightingaleinventors
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Abstract
A passively, Q-switched laser operating at an eye safe wavelength of between 1.2 and 1.4 microns is described. The laser may operate at a lasing wavelength of 1.34 microns and use a gain element of Nd:YVO4 and a saturable absorber element of V:YAG. The position of the resonator axial mode spectrum relative to a gain peak of the gain element is controlled to yield desired characteristics in the laser output.
Claims20
A passively Q-switched laser configured to output a series of pulses at a lasing wavelength between 1.2 and 1.4 microns comprising:
- a gain element having a first and a second surface, the first surface having a highly reflective coating at the lasing wavelength between 1.2 and 1.4 microns to form a first end of the resonator;
- a saturable absorber element;
- a second end of the resonator formed by a second surface having a partially transmitting optical coating at the lasing wavelength between 1.2 and 1.4 microns;
- and
- a pump source having a pump beam directed to the first surface of the gain element;
- wherein an axial mode spectrum of a resonator formed between the first surface of the gain element and the second end of the resonator is controlled relative to a gain peak of the gain element.
A method of determining a distance between a platform and a target, the method comprising:
- operating a passively Q-switched laser mounted on the platform in a series of pulses, each pulse in the series of pulses having a wavelength between 1.2 and 1.4 microns, wherein an axial mode structure of substantially all the pulses of the passively Q-switched laser is controlled;
- measuring a first signal representative of a time one pulse in the series of pulses is emitted from the passive Q-switched laser;
- measuring a second signal representative of a time a reflection off the target of the one pulse in the series of pulses is received by a detector mounted on the platform;
- and
- determining a distance between the platform and the target based on a time difference between the first signal and the second signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.