Pockel cell damping system

Abstract

A device for damping the vibrations of an elongated, substantially rectangular crystal in response to an applied high voltage electrical field comprises a pair of dielectric panes which are impedance matched with the crystal and are attached to opposite sides thereof. As attached to the crystal, each of the panes is disposed at the periphery of the electrical field, and an aluminum block is attached to each of the panes on a surface which is opposite from the crystal. The mass of aluminum blocks, and the texture of their exposed outer surfaces cooperate to mechanically dampen the acoustic vibrations transmitted from the crystal through the panes. Additionally, the rectangular dimensions of the crystal are chosen to delay the propagation of acoustic waves from the surfaces of the crystal to its center. This is done in order to preserve an optical window through the crystal for a period of time during which this window, at the center of the crystal, experiences only the electro-optical effect caused by an applied electrical field and does not experience the "ringing" which is caused by acoustic waves.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.