Multi-source laser beam module
AssigneeRockwell International Corporation
InventorDonald R. Hodson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A module for generating multiple high energy laser beams of different frequencies and directing the beams at a target. The beams are formed from a plurality of separate laser cavities, and directed by a mirror system within an evacuated chamber at a photochemical reaction cavity within the chamber. The laser cavities are also positioned within the chamber, and cavities generating laser beams of one frequency are connected by a common duct for circulating a lasing gas through the cavities. A mirror system allows beams from selected cavities to be combined, permitting extra lasers to be substituted optically without removal from the evacuated chamber.
Claims5
Apparatus for focusing high energy beams on a target from multiple laser sources, comprising:
- a housing forming a vacuum chamber, a group of lasers positioned in a ring around the periphery of the housing, each laser including a resonant laser cavity defining a window therein and extending from said periphery into said chamber, fluid conduit means extending between and interconnecting each of said cavities for connecting all of said cavities in series to a lasing gas source, each cavity including mirror means mounted proximate said window for directing light generated in the respective cavities through said window into said vacuum chamber, mirror means mounted in said chamber for directing said beams from each of said cavities along a common axis, and target means positioned in said chamber along said common axis for receiving said beams.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.