Oscillator with mode control
AssigneeIntralase Corp.
InventorChristopher Horvath
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An oscillator for isolating a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) zero—zero mode pulsed laser beam includes a laser pumping diode that is mounted on a base to induce a multi-mode laser beam from a lasing medium. As initially induced, the multi-mode laser beam is directed along a path and is characterized by a beating signal which has a frequency that is based on amplitude variations of laser pulses in the multi-mode laser beam. Electronics detect this beating signal and generates a responsive error signal. With closed loop control, the error signal is used to advance a straightedge toward the path of the multi-mode laser beam to remove transverse modes from the multi-mode laser beam with the straightedge. This advancement continues until the error signal is a null and the zero—zero mode pulsed laser beam is thereby isolated.
Claims19
An oscillator for isolating a transverse electro-magnetic (TEM) zero—zero mode pulsed laser beam which comprises:
- a base;
- a lasing medium mounted on said base;
- a laser pumping diode mounted on said base for inducing a multi-mode laser beam from said lasing medium, said multi-mode laser beam being characterized by at least one laser pulse and a beating signal indicative of a multi-mode condition in said laser beam, said multi-mode laser beam being directed along a path;
- electronics means for detecting said beating signal of said multi-mode laser beam and for generating an error signal in response thereto;
- and
- an interrupter formed with a straightedge, said interrupter being mounted on said base for advancement toward said path in response to said error signal to remove transverse modes from said multi-mode laser beam with said straightedge until said error signal is substantially a null and said zero—zero mode pulsed laser beam is thereby isolated.
An oscillator for isolating a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) zero—zero mode pulsed laser beam which comprises:
- a means for inducing a multi-mode laser beam from a lasing medium, said multi-mode laser beam being characterized by at least one laser pulse and a beating signal indicative of a multi-mode condition in said laser beam, said multi-mode laser beam being directed along a path;
- a means for detecting said beating signal of said multi-mode laser beam and for generating an error signal in response thereto;
- and
- a means for advancing a straightedge toward said path in response to said error signal to remove transverse modes from said multi-mode laser beam with said straightedge until said error signal is substantially a null and said zero—zero mode pulsed laser beam is thereby isolated.
A method for isolating a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) zero—zero mode pulsed laser beam which comprises the steps of:
- inducing a multi-mode laser beam from a lasing medium, said multi-mode laser beam being characterized by at least one laser pulse and a beating signal indicative of a multi-mode condition in said laser beam, said multi-mode laser beam being directed along a path;
- detecting said beating signal of said multi-mode laser beam;
- generating an error signal in response to said beating signal;
- and
- advancing a straightedge toward said path in response to said error signal to remove transverse modes from said multi-mode laser beam with said straightedge until said error signal is substantially a null and said zero—zero mode pulsed laser beam is thereby isolated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.