US 2024/0313499 A1 · Pulsed Laser System

Abstract

Systems, methods, and circuits provide passively Q-switched laser systems operable to emit a pulse train that is synchronized to a reference clock operating at a relatively high pulse repetition frequency. Such pulsed laser systems can include a gain medium; a pump source that excites the gain medium into a higher energy state; a passive Q-switch; a photodetector that produces an electronic signal synchronous with the laser output pulse; and an electronic control system that inputs the signal from the photodetector and controls the pump source to optimize the synchronization between the output laser pulses and a reference clock. The clock source may be internally generated by the electronic control system or input externally. In some examples and embodiments, passively Q-switched lasers can be utilized as transmitters in automotive LIDAR systems.

Claims47

Dependent claims

A passive Q-switched synchronous laser system comprising:

a. an optical cavity having an optical axis;
b. a gain medium disposed in the optical cavity along the optical axis;
c. pump means configured to supply the gain medium with pump energy;
d. a passive Q-switch disposed in the optical cavity along the optical axis, wherein the passive Q-switch switches the Q factor of the optical cavity from a low state to a high state, and wherein the optical cavity produces laser output pulses as a result of the passive Q-switch switching the Q state of the optical cavity;
e. a photodetector configured to detect the laser output pulses and to produce corresponding signals indicative of and synchronous with the laser output pulses;
and
f. control circuitry configured to receive the signals from the photodetector and control application of power to the pump means to synchronize the output laser pulses to a reference clock signal.

4 more elements

An illumination system for scanned lidar, the system comprising:

a. a laser system operative to produce a laser output, the laser system comprising;
i. an optical cavity having an optical axis;
ii. a gain medium disposed in the optical cavity along the optical axis;
iii. pump means configured to supply the gain medium with pump energy;
iv. a passive Q-switch disposed in the optical cavity, wherein the passive Q-switch is configured to absorb optical energy received from the gain medium up to a threshold and then to transmit the optical energy once the threshold has been exceeded, wherein the passive Q-switch switches the Q factor of the optical cavity from a low state to a high state, and wherein the optical cavity produces laser output pulses as a result of the passive Q-switch switching the Q state of the optical cavity;
v. a photodetector configured to detect the laser output pulses and to produce corresponding signals indicative of and synchronous with the laser output pulses;
and
vi. control circuitry configured to receive the signals from the photodetector and control application of power to the pump means to synchronize the output laser pulses to a reference clock signal;
b. an optic operative to receive the laser output pulses and produce a beam output having an angular spread in a first direction;
and
c. a scanning system operative to scan the beam output across a desired angular span in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pulsed Laser System

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Pulsed Laser System

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims47