US 6,788,722 B1 · High power waveguide laser

Abstract

The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by a laser of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention the laser comprises a housing defining a plurality of compartments therein, a folded waveguide disposed within the housing, the folded waveguide defining a plurality of channels having a substantially rectangular cross section for guiding a laser beam, a plurality of electrodes disposed in the plurality of compartments and juxtaposed along opposite surfaces of the waveguide and at least one power supply connected to the plurality of electrodes. The channels having a prescribed width to height ratio for a prescribed channel length for a given Fresnel number. At least one optical housing is provided. The optical housing is mounted to the laser housing, the optical housing including a plurality of beam turning mechanisms disposed within a plurality of compartments accessible for adjusting the beam turning mechanisms. The channels are disposed within the waveguide so as to subtend a prescribed angular orientation between adjacent channels. Inductors are provided for suppressing the capacitance of the electrodes.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A laser structure comprising:

an elongated, dielectric waveguide structure having a plurality of waveguide channels therein, said waveguide channels including a gaseous gain medium;
a pair of electrodes including a first electrode extending along a first elongated surface of the waveguide structure and a second electrode extending along a second elongated surface of the waveguide structure, the first elongated surface being opposite and parallel to the second elongated surface, each of said first and second electrodes being divided into spaced apart first and second electrode portions, each of said spaced apart first and second electrode portions of said first electrode being electrically connectable to an RF power supply for applying an RF potential across said gain medium;
a metal housing enclosing said waveguide structure and said pair of electrodes, with said first electrode being electrically isolated from said metal housing;
and
a metal shield located between said spaced apart first and second portions of each of said first and second electrodes, the metal shield being positioned orthogonal to said first and second elongated surfaces so as to prevent RF coupling between said spaced apart first and second portions.

2 more elements

A laser structure comprising:

a laser resonator having a resonator axis;
an elongated dielectric waveguide structure having a plurality of waveguide channels therein, said waveguide channels including a gaseous gain medium, and said resonator axis extending through said plurality of waveguide channels;
a pair of electrodes including a first electrode extending along a first elongated surface of the waveguide structure and a second electrode extending along a second elongated surface of the waveguide structure, the first elongated surface being opposite and parallel to the second elongated surface, each of said first and second electrodes being divided into spaced apart first and second electrode portions, each of said spaced apart first and second electrode portions of said first electrode being electrically connectable to an RF power supply for applying RF energy to said gain medium, thereby causing laser radiation to circulate in said laser resonator as guided by said waveguide channels;
a metal housing enclosing said waveguide structure and said pair of electrodes, with said first electrode being electrically isolated from said metal housing;
and
a metal shield located between spaced apart first and second portions of each of said first and second electrodes transverse to said waveguide structure to prevent RF coupling between said spaced apart first and second portions, said metal shield being electrically isolated from said first electrode and electrically connected to said metal housing.

3 more elements

A laser comprising:

a laser resonator having a resonator axis;
an elongated dielectric waveguide structure having a plurality of waveguide channels therein, said waveguide channels including a gaseous gain medium, and said resonator axis extending through said plurality of waveguide channels;
a pair of electrodes including a first electrode extending along a first elongated surface of the waveguide structure and a second electrode extending along a second elongated surface of the waveguide structure, the first elongated surface being opposite and parallel to the second elongated surface, each of said first and second electrodes being divided into spaced apart first and second electrode portions;
a metal housing enclosing said waveguide structure and said pair of electrodes, with said first and second electrode portions of said first electrode being electrically isolated from said metal housing, and said first and second electrode portions of said second electrode being electrically connected to said metal housing;
first and second RF power supplies, said first portion of said first electrode being electrically connected to said first RF power supply, and said second portion of said first electrode being electrically connected to said second RF power supply for applying RF energy to said gain medium, thereby causing laser radiation to circulate in said laser resonator guided by said waveguide channels;
and
a metal shield located between spaced apart first and second portions of each of said first and second electrodes transverse to said waveguide structure to prevent RF coupling between said spaced apart first and second portions, said metal shield being electrically isolated from said first electrode and electrically connected to said metal housing.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High power waveguide laser

Life of this patent

High power waveguide laser

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13