Solid-state non-planar internally reflecting ring laser
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsThomas J. Kane, Robert L. Byer
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Abstract
A solid-state non-planar internally-reflecting ring laser is described including a single piece of solid state laser material which incorporates at least two mirrored surfaces oriented to change the plane of incidence of the propagating ray path to define a ray path having at least four segments defining at least two planes, when the prism is located in a magnetic field of sufficient strength, the laser will lase in a single longitudinal and transverse mode, the magnetic field decoupling the counter propagating waves.
Claims28
A non-planar laser resonator, comprising a single piece of solid-state laser material, reflecting means internal to said laser materials for defining a non-planar ray path in said resonator, at least two reflections taking place at internal surfaces of said piece of solid-state laser material said surfaces being oriented to change the plane of incidence of the propagating ray to produce said non-planar ray path.
A laser resonator comprising a prism of solid-state laser material, reflecting means for defining a non-planar, internal lasing ray path through said laser material, means for end pumping said solid-state laser material and means for generating a magnetic field in said laser material which decouples counter propagating waves, the strength of said magnetic field and orientation of the reflecting means causing non reciprocal lasing action within the laser material along said lasing ray path.
A ring laser including a single prism of said solid-state laser material having at least three internally reflecting mirror polished surfaces and responsive to a field whereby lasing occurs in a single, non planar direction and wherein said laser prism includes an output coupling mirror at one end and said reflecting mirrors comprise mirrored surfaces spaced from the output coupling mirror and angled to direct said rays substantially parallel to said magnetic field for non-magnetic polarization rotation of said rays.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.