Abstract: A clamping device for an RF excited laser is provided which reduces stress on ceramic components and also is less expensive than existing clamping devices. The RF excited laser lacking an electrode over the waveguide channel intersection regions. Ceramic covers are provided over a portion of these channel intersection regions to reduce plasma build up. Increased power is achieved by adding a fourth channel to a conventional waveguide to form a ring resonator. The optical component mount uses radial compressive forces to hold the optical component to a post, thereby preventing the face of the optical component from being distorted. Mirror mounts are also configured to allow more mirrors to be mounted at each end of the laser. The waveguide channel of the RF excited laser having a U-shaped cross section and an aspect ratio grater than one-to-one, which improves laser performance. A beam redirection device allows the laser head to serve as a mounting surface for other optical components.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for sequentially and repetitively diffracting multiple beams at a common predetermined angle. A coincident beam source introduces a plurality of coincident beams into an acousto-optic cell at a common location and angle, wherein each beam has a different wavelength. A signal controlling apparatus sequentially and repetitively introduces a series of signals to the acousto-optic cell. Each signal has a frequency, which corresponds to one of the multiple beams such that when the acousto-optic cell receives the signal, the acousto-optic cell operates at such frequency and diffracts the corresponding beam at the predetermined angle.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for controlling the power level of a beam exiting an acousto-optic cell and/or a beam delivery device. A beam detector senses the power level of the beam and produces a power signal indicative thereof. An error detector compares the power signal to a predetermined power level. If the power signal and predetermined power level differ, the error amplifier emits a correction signal to a variable amplitude source, which adjusts the amplitude of the acoustic drive frequency such that the power level of the beam exiting the acousto-optic cell and/or the beam delivery device is substantially equal to the predetermined power level.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention significantly improves the optical intensity induced damage limit of optical quality crystals, and in particular crystals used in the conversion of laser radiation at a specific wavelength to another wavelength or other wavelengths through non-linear interaction of the input laser radiation with the optical crystal medium. In accordance with the present invention, passive optical elements are positioned at the laser beam exiting and entrance surfaces of the active optical element. The surfaces of the passive optical elements are placed up against respective exiting and entrance surfaces of the active optical element. Since the optically transparent passive optical elements have higher mass than optical coatings, they provide vastly superior cooling, and therefore, considerably higher laser damage threshold for the surfaces.