Multiwavelength solid state laser using frequency conversion techniques
AssigneeJTT International, Inc.
InventorJ. T. Lin
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Abstract
A process and apparatus are disclosed for producing multiwavelength coherent radiations ranging from deep-ultraviolet to mid-infrared. The basic laser is a pulsed Nd:YAG or Nd:YLF laser which is frequency converted by a set of novel nonlinear crystals including D-CDA, LBO, BBO, KTP, and KNbO.sub.3, where efficient schemes using noncritical phase matching and cylindrical focusing are employed. A computer controlled integrated system suitable for multiple industrial and medical applications is described, particularly where a UV (at 210 nm and 213 nm) solid state laser is desired such as in refractive surgery. Furthermore, using optical parametric oscillation in nonlinear crystals, the laser system can produce tunable (1.5-4.5 microns) wavelengths covering a variety of medical applications.
Claims31
A laser apparatus for producing a fifth harmonic generation beam of predetermined wavelength comprising:
- a solid state laser;
- a first nonlinear crystal for producing a second harmonic beam;
- focusing optics for focusing said solid state laser beam into said first nonlinear crystal;
- a second nonlinear crystal positioned adjacent said first nonlinear crystal for receiving a beam therefrom and producing a fourth harmonic beam;
- and
- a third nonlinear crystal of beta barium borate positioned adjacent said second nonlinear crystal for receiving a beam therefrom and producing a fifth harmonic beam;
- whereby a solid state laser produces a fifth harmonic coherent beam of predetermined wavelength.
An integrated laser apparatus for producing multiwavelength coherent energy sources comprising:
- a solid state laser;
- beam splitter means mounted to receive the output beam from said solid state laser and to split the beam into at least three separate beams;
- a delivery system for receiving a plurality of laser beams of difference wavelength and outputting one of the plurality of laser beams;
- a first nonlinear crystal positioned adjacent said beam splitter means for receiving one said beam therefrom and for generating a second harmonic beam therefrom;
- a second harmonic beam splitter positioned adjacent said first nonlinear crystal for directing the second harmonic beam to said delivery system;
- a second nonlinear crystal positioned adjacent said second harmonic beam splitter for receiving a beam from first nonlinear crystal and generating a fourth harmonic beam therefrom;
- a fourth harmonic beam splitter positioned adjacent said second nonlinear crystal for directing a fourth harmonic beam to said delivery system;
- a third nonlinear crystal positioned adjacent said fourth harmonic beam splitter for receiving a beam therefrom and generating a fifth harmonic beam and directing said fifth harmonic beam therefrom to said delivery system;
- a second beam from said beam splitter means being directed to said delivery system;
- and
- an optical parametric oscillator positioned adjacent said beam splitter means to receive a third beam therefrom and having a continuously tunable output beam directed towards said delivery system, whereby a plurality of coherent light beams of different frequencies are directed towards delivery system which selectively output one of said input beams.
A multi-wavelength laser apparatus for producing coherent sources of energy comprising:
- a first solid state laser;
- a second solid state laser;
- phase lock means coupling said first and second solid state lasers to phase lock the beams from the first and second solid state lasers;
- a polarization coupler coupling the beams from said first and second solid state lasers together to produce a laser beam having two wavelengths;
- a beam splitter positioned to split the beam from the polarization coupler into first and second beam paths;
- a first nonlinear crystal positioned to receive the first beam from said beam splitter for sum wavelength mixing two wavelengths to produce a third wavelength;
- a second nonlinear crystal positioned to receive a second beam from said beam splitter for generating a harmonic wavelength therefrom, whereby a plurality of coherent light beams of different wavelengths are produced at the output of the laser system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.