US 4,656,635 AGranted

Laser diode pumped solid state laser

AssigneeSpectra-Physics, Inc.

InventorsThomas M. Baer, Mark S. Keirstead

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A neodymium or other rare earth doped solid state laser is pumped by a matched high efficiency laser diode, resulting in a compact, high efficiency and long lifetime laser assembly. Output is in the near infrared range, but can be converted to the visible spectrum by an intra-cavity frequency doubler. A doubling crystal, which may be a KTP crystal, is placed at an optimum location in the laser cavity. Polarization of the beam may be achieved simply by stressing a non-birefringent rod, prior to frequency doubling, or by using a birefringent material such as Nd:YLF for the rod. An amplitude noise suppression etalon may also be placed at an optimum position in the laser cavity; alternatively a ring cavity or pair of quarter wave plates can be used. A folded cavity configuration produces a pair of beam waists in the cavity. Pulsed operation can be produced by means of a Q-switch.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A high-efficiency, laser diode pumped array, frequency doubled, compact solid state laser, comprising:

a rare earth doped birefringent solid laser rod selected from the group consisting of Nd:YLF, Nd:YALO having a front end and a back end, the rod producing a polarized output beam;
a housing with means holding the laser rod in fixed position in the housing with its front end forward;
a laser array having a predetermined wavelength pumping the laser rod, having an output frequency sufficently matched to said laser rod to pump said laser rod, secured in the housing behind and in optical alignment with the rod;
laser cavity means defining a laser cavity mounted in the housing with the laser rod positioned within the cavity, the laser cavity means further including within the cavity:
an output coupler means;
a frequency doubler, positioned to receive a suitably polarized output beam from said laser rod and to halve its wavelength and double its frequency;
a polarization means for polarizing the output beam of the laser rod and substantially maintaining a polarization which optimizes frequency doubling at the frequency doubler and
means for matching a focused image of the laser diode with a lasing volume of the laser cavity.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/811,546Filed 19 Dec 1985 · continuation in part
Priority: 1 May 1985
Granted: 7 Apr 1987
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

H01S 3/08036
Single-mode emission: using intracavity dispersive, polarising or birefringent elements
H01S 3/09415
Of a laser diode: the pumping beam being parallel to the lasing mode of the pumped medium, e.g. end-pumping
H01S 3/109
Using non-linear optical devices, e.g. exhibiting Brillouin or Raman scattering: frequency multiplication, e.g. harmonic generation
H01S 3/025
Constructional details: of solid state lasers, e.g. housings or mountings