Method of changing the frequency of a laser beam
AssigneeThe Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsLloyd C. Bobb, Kimball Kramer
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Abstract
The frequency of a laser beam can be changed by directing the laser beam through a crystal that has paraelectric and ferroelectric states, above and below a Curie transition temperature, respectively. The crystal is maintained at a constant temperature slightly above its Curie transition temperature when no change in the frequency of the laser beam is desired; and a voltage is applied across the crystal to drive it from its paraelectric into its ferroelectric state when a relatively large change in the frequency of the laser beam is desired.
Claims7
In a laser system of the type wherein an active laser element is energized to produce a laser beam of substantially one frequency, .omega..sub.1, the improvement in the method of changing the frequency of said laser beam by a frequency .omega..sub.2, comprising
- disposing a crystal of a single crystal structure, having paraelectric and ferroelectric states above and below a Curie point, respectively, in the path of said laser beam,
- maintaining said crystal in its paraelectric state at substantially constant temperature just above its Curie point, when the laser beam emerging from said crystal is to remain substantially unchanged in frequency, and
- applying a voltage of sufficient value across said crystal to drive it into its ferroelectric state and generate radiations of frequency .omega..sub.2, when the laser beam emerging from said crystal is to have frequencies of .omega..sub.1 .+-. .omega..sub.2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.