Single laser transmitter for Q-switched and mode-locked vibration operation
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsMaurice J. Halmos, Robert D. Stultz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multifunctional laser (10) which, in a first operational mode, outputs a mode-locked beam for vibration sensing applications and, in a second operational mode, outputs a Q switched illumination beam for imaging applications. The inventive laser (10) includes a resonant cavity (110, 120, 190); a gain medium (100) disposed with the cavity; a first arrangement (150) in communication with the medium for causing a Q-switched signal to be transmitted from the cavity; a second arrangement (180) in communication with the medium for causing a mode-locked signal to be transmitted from the cavity; and a mechanism (130, 140) for switching between the first arrangement and the second arrangement.
Claims9
A multifunctional laser comprising:
- a resonant cavity;
- a gain medium disposed with the cavity;
- first means in communication with the medium for causing a Q switched signal to be transmitted from the cavity;
- second means in communication with the medium for causing a mode-locked signal to be transmitted from the cavity;
- and
- means for switching between the first means and the second means.
A multifunctional laser comprising:
- a resonant cavity;
- a gain medium disposed with the cavity;
- a Q-switch in communication with the medium for causing a Q switched signal to be transmitted from the cavity;
- a mode-locker in communication with the medium for causing a mode-locked signal to be transmitted from the cavity;
- and
- a rotator and a polarizer for switching between the Q-switch and the mode locker.
A method for providing a multifunctional laser including the steps of:
- providing a resonant cavity;
- providing a gain medium within the cavity;
- causing a Q switched signal to be transmitted from the cavity with a first arrangement in communication with the medium;
- causing a mode-locked signal to be transmitted from the cavity with a second arrangement in communication with the medium;
- and
- switching between the first arrangement and the second arrangement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.