Reflector switched lasers
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsRobert J. Wojnarowski, Charles W. Eichelberger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laser capable of continuous wave operation is provided with a switching capability by including an electromagnetic transducer in its mirror adjustment system which is capable of moving the mirror sufficiently out of alignment ot interrupt laser action in the laser. In this manner, by switching the mirror between its aligned and misaligned conditions, the laser may be turned on and off without loss of output power and with pulse durations and duty cycles which are limited only by the ability of the electromagnetic transducer to move the mirror between its aligned and misaligned conditions. By providing separate transducers for both vertical and horizontal adjustment, alignment of the laser may be maintained electronically.
Claims17
In a laser of the type including a continuous lasing medium, an adjustable mirror which, when properly aligned with the optical axis of the lasing medium, enables laser action and means for continuously exciting said lasing medium, the improvement comprising:
- means for switching said laser between on and off states including:
- electromagnetic means for changing the angle of said mirror between an aligned condition in which laser action takes place and a misaligned condition in which laser action is suppressed.
A switched laser comprising:
- an optical path having an optical axis and including first and second reflective surfaces;
- a continuous lasing medium disposed in said optical path;
- means for continuously exciting said lasing medium;
- and
- means for switching said first reflective surface into and out of a first state, reflecting light incident thereon from said optical axis along said optical path in a manner to enable laser light emission, and when not in said first state, not reflecting light incident thereon from said optical axis along said optical path in a manner which enables laser light emission.
A switched laser comprising:
- an optical path having an optical axis and including first and second reflective surfaces;
- a continuous lasing medium disposed in said optical path;
- means for continuously exciting said lasing medium;
- and
- means for switching said first reflective surface between first and second states, said first reflective surface when in said first state, reflecting light incident thereon from said optical axis along said optical path in a manner to enable laser light emission and when in said second state, not reflecting light incident thereon from said optical axis along said optical path in a manner which enables laser light emission.
A laser comprising
- an optical path including first and second reflective surfaces;
- a continuous lasing medium disposed in said optical path;
- means for continuously exciting said lasing medium;
- means for adjusting the alignment of said first reflective surface with respect to said optical path, said means for adjusting including an electromechanical transducer;
- means for detecting when said first reflective surface is properly aligned with said optical path;
- and
- a control system responsive to said means for detecting for providing drive signals to said electromagnetic transducer to maintain said first reflective surface in proper alignment with said optical path.
A method of converting a continuous wave laser to pulsed laser comprising:
- providing means for disaligning one of the laser's mirrors to interrupt the lasing action of said laser;
- and
- providing means for controlling the timing of the disalignment of said one of said laser's mirrors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.