Q-switch Patents (Class 372/10)
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Patent number: 9698560Abstract: A laser ignition system, in particular for an internal combustion engine, including a vertical emitter and a laser-active crystal, the laser-active crystal being doped in at least some areas using ytterbium, the ytterbium-doped area having a length of 200 ?m to 7000 ?m. The monolithic laser is based on a YAG or LuAG host crystal having 3 differently doped areas: a laser-active ytterbium-doped area, an undoped area which determines the resonator length and therefore the pulse duration, and a chromium-doped or vanadium-doped area for the passive Q-switch. The resonator is delimited by 2 mirrors.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Heiko Ridderbusch
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Patent number: 9680281Abstract: In a method, a laser pump module is set to a first power mode and pump energy is output at a first power level through the activation of a first subset of laser diodes. Laser light is emitted from a gain medium at the first power level in response to absorption of the pump energy. An operator input corresponding to a power mode setting is received. The laser pump module is switched to a second power mode and pump energy is output at a second power level through the activation of a second subset of the laser diodes. Laser light is emitted from the gain medium at the second power level in response to absorption of the pump energy.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Rongwei Jason Xuan, Michael R. Hodel, Douglas G. Stinson, Raymond Adam Nemeyer
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Patent number: 9640940Abstract: A pulsed laser comprises an oscillator and amplifier. An attenuator and/or pre-compressor may be disposed between the oscillator and amplifier to improve performance and possibly the quality of pulses output from the laser. Such pre-compression may be implemented with spectral filters and/or dispersive elements between the oscillator and amplifier. The pulsed laser may have a modular design comprising modular devices that may have Telcordia-graded quality and reliability. Fiber pigtails extending from the device modules can be spliced together to form laser system. In one embodiment, a laser system operating at approximately 1050 nm comprises an oscillator having a spectral bandwidth of approximately 19 nm. This oscillator signal can be manipulated to generate a pulse having a width below approximately 90 fs. A modelocked linear fiber laser cavity with enhanced pulse-width control includes concatenated sections of both polarization-maintaining and non-polarization-maintaining fibers.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.Inventors: Xinhua Gu, Mark Bendett, Gyu Cheon Cho, Martin E. Fermann
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Patent number: 9620922Abstract: Disclosed is a lamp block comprising a lamp which is a glass tube having an internal final end and an external final end, wherein said internal final end ends with an electrode that fits directly into a connector placed on the machine into which said lamp is mounted and said external final end ends with an electrode to which a cable is connected, at least one portion of said cable being inserted in a key which is a hollow cylinder. Also disclosed is a laser apparatus suitable to house said lamp block and a method for extracting and housing said lamp block in said laser apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, said apparatus further comprise a system for electronic recognition.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: BIOS S.R.L.Inventors: Aldo Casalino, Lorenzo Casalino
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Patent number: 9574541Abstract: A high efficiency optical ignition device is provided in a two-part compact and robust package to be mounted directly on an internal combustion engine chamber. The ignition device ignites a combustion fuel with a high intensity plasma generated by a high power laser beam from a solid state laser operable in Q-switched, or non-Q-switched mode for producing short or long pulses, respectively. Multiple pulses are generated, and duration and frequency of the laser beam pulses are controlled by controlling an optical pump module to pump the solid state laser. The optical pump module comprises a semiconductor laser, preferably a VCSEL device. One or more laser beams are precisely directed, each one to a desired location anywhere within the combustion chamber for more efficient and near complete burning of the combustion fuel. The robust packaging is well suited to withstand mechanical and thermal stresses of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: PRINCETON OPTRONICS INC.Inventors: Chuni L Ghosh, Qing Wang, Bing Xu, Robert van Leeuwen
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Patent number: 9570877Abstract: A device may include a transient optical amplifier having stored energy associated with a lower boundary and an upper boundary of a dynamic equilibrium, and a target level defining stored energy for amplifying a high energy input pulse to a higher energy output pulse. The device may include a pump to increase the amplifier's stored energy, and a source to pass low energy control pulses or the high energy input pulse to the amplifier. The device may include a controller configured to maintain the amplifier's stored energy in the dynamic equilibrium by requesting low energy control pulses for the amplifier at a high repetition frequency. The controller may wait to receive a trigger. Based on receiving the trigger, the device may stop passing low energy control pulses to the amplifier, and may pass the high energy input pulse to the amplifier when the amplifier's stored energy reaches the target level.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLCInventors: Hubert Ammann, Marco Benetti
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Patent number: 9543732Abstract: Disclosed is a laser wavelength conversion apparatus. The apparatus includes a focusing lens formed of a birefringent material and configured to have a same refractive index for an infrared laser beam and a green laser beam having different polarization directions and focus the infrared laser beam and the green laser beam without a chromatic aberration, and a sum frequency generator configured to combine the infrared laser beam and the green laser beam focused by the focusing lens to generate an ultraviolet laser beam. The apparatus of the present invention can solve a problem due to a chromatic aberration of the focusing lens, thereby improving a wavelength conversion efficiency and a beam quality.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Changsoo Jung, Young-Chul Noh, Bong-Ahn Yu, Woo Jin Shin, Yeung Lak Lee
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Patent number: 9537280Abstract: The present invention discloses a dual beamsplitting element based excimer laser pulse stretching device comprising two beam splitting elements and one confocal resonator. The first beamsplitting element splits incident laser beam into two beams, one beam enters the confocal resonator, generates a certain time delay and then is incident on the second beamsplitting element, and the second beam is directly incident on the second beamsplitting element. The second beamsplitting element further splits each of the incident laser beams into two beams, one of the two beams enters the confocal resonator, generates a certain time delay and is returned back to the first beamsplitting element to be further split, and the other of the two beams is combined with other beams which are direct outputs after being split by the beamsplitting elements or being optically delayed by the confocal resonator to form a stretched output beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: The Institute of Optics and Electronics, The Chinese Academy of SciencesInventors: Bincheng Li, Qiang Wang, Yanling Han
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Patent number: 9528876Abstract: A light source for near-infrared transmission and reflection spectroscopy can be constructed from a combination of a high power blue or blue-green light emitting diode (LED) and a phosphor element based on an inorganic material. The phosphor element absorbs the LED light and, in response to the LED excitation, emits luminescence that continuously covers the 700-1050 nm range. One possible material that can be used for such a near-infrared emitting phosphor element is a single crystal rod of Ti+3 doped Sapphire. An alternative near-infrared emitting phosphor material is a disk or rectangular shaped composite of Ti+3 doped Sapphire powder embedded in a clear optical epoxy or silicone encapsulant. Such a combination of a blue LED for excitation of a phosphor element that emits in a broad wavelength band has been widely used in white LEDs where the emission is in the 400-700 nm range.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Innovative Science Tools, Inc.Inventor: Ronald H Micheels
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Patent number: 9496683Abstract: A diode laser apparatus includes an optical fiber having a multi-mode inner cladding and a core, the core having a fiber Bragg grating disposed therein, a plurality of diode lasers configured to emit light, and optics configured to receive the light and to couple the light into the optical fiber, wherein a portion of the light coupled into the optical fiber is reflected by the fiber Bragg grating and is coupled back through the optics into the diode lasers so as to lock the wavelength thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: nLIGHT, Inc.Inventor: Manoj Kanskar
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Patent number: 9379519Abstract: A laser oscillation device comprises a light emitting unit for projecting a pump laser beam, a laser medium for absorbing the pump laser beam and for emitting a spontaneous emission light, a saturable absorber for absorbing the spontaneous emission light and for emitting a pulsed light, and a holder for holding the laser medium in a close contact state, wherein a portion of the holder as appressed against at least one surface of the laser medium is made of a metal and the pump laser beam is projected to an edge portion of the laser medium as appressed against the holder.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCONInventors: Taizo Eno, Noriyasu Kiryuu, Yuuichi Yoshimura
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Patent number: 9214784Abstract: An end surface 3b of a solid-state laser element 3 is sloped in such a way that, assuming that laser light is incident upon air from the end surface, an angle of incidence which a normal to an inner side of the end surface forms with a traveling direction of the laser light substantially matches the Brewster angle at the incidence plane, an end surface 4a of a wavelength conversion element 4 is sloped in such a way that, assuming that the laser light is incident upon air from the end surface, an angle of incidence which a normal to an inner side of the end surface forms with a traveling direction of the laser light substantially matches the Brewster angle at the incidence plane, and the end surface 3b and the end surface 4b are arranged in such a way as to be opposite to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kyosuke Kuramoto, Takayuki Yanagisawa, Yoshihito Hirano
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Patent number: 9025625Abstract: In a method for operating a laser system in a Q-switched mode, the laser system provided with a laser resonator with a laser medium and an electro-optical modulator, wherein the electro-optical modulator has an EOM crystal, wherein the EOM crystal has a characteristic ringing time (t0) when subjected to acoustic ringing, the EOM crystal is driven by modulator voltage pulses (pm) having a modulator voltage pulse duration (tml). A train of at least two subsequent laser pulses (pl) is generated. The modulator voltage pulse duration (tml) is selected to be at least approximately equal to the characteristic ringing time (t0) of the EOM crystal multiplied by an integer factor.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Fotona d.d.Inventors: Dejan Skrabelj, Marko Marincek
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Publication number: 20150117475Abstract: When an excitation light is entered in a laser medium including a doped (containing rare earth element) YAG, the vicinity of the excitation light entry face is locally heated which generates a birefringence, causing degradation of linear polarization of emitted laser. To avoid such a phenomenon, it was necessary to make the excitation light pulsed and slow down the repetition rate of the pulse. In this device, an undoped YAG is bonded to a excitation light entry face of the laser medium made of a doped YAG By arranging the YAG <100> axis so as to extend along the optical axis of the laser oscillation system, a linearly polarized pulse laser can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Takunori TAIRA, Rakesh BHANDARI
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Patent number: 8976820Abstract: To provide a passive Q-switch-type solid laser apparatus for outputting a high peak-power pulse laser whose pulse energy is large and pulse-time width is small. A passive Q-switch-type solid laser apparatus has: two reflection elements for forming an oscillator; a solid gain medium being disposed between the two reflection elements; a saturable absorber being disposed between the two reflection elements; an excitation device for exciting the solid gain medium; and a cross section control device for making at least one of a stimulated emission cross section of the solid gain medium and an absorption cross section of the saturable absorber closer to another one of them; and the cross section control device is equipped with at least one or both of a temperature control device for retaining the solid gain medium at a predetermined temperature and an oscillatory-wavelength control device for fixating an oscillatory wavelength at a predetermined wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Inter-University Research Institute Corporation National Institutes of Natural SciencesInventors: Takunori Taira, Simon Joly, Rakesh Bhandari
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Publication number: 20150036703Abstract: Various embodiments include large cores fibers that can propagate few modes or a single mode while introducing loss to higher order modes. Some of these fibers are holey fibers that comprise cladding features such as air-holes. Additional embodiments described herein include holey rods. The rods and fibers may be used in many optical systems including optical amplification systems, lasers, short pulse generators, Q-switched lasers, etc. and may be used for example for micromachining.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Liang Dong, William Wong, Martin E. Fermann
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Patent number: 8948220Abstract: A microcrystal laser assembly including a gain-crystal includes a frame having a high thermal conductivity. The frame has a base with two spaced apart portions extending from the base. The gain-crystal has a resonator output minor on one surface thereof. The gain-crystal is supported on the spaced-apart portions of the frame in the space therebetween. Another resonator minor is supported in that space, spaced apart from the output mirror, on a pedestal attached to the base of the frame. The pedestal and the frame have different CTE. Varying the frame temperature varies the spacing between the resonator minors depending on the CTE difference between the pedestal and the frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Coherent GmbHInventor: Stefan Spiekermann
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Patent number: 8948219Abstract: The invention relates to a laser system with a passively Q-switched laser 1, a spectrally widening element 3, and a compression element 4. Laser systems of this kind are utilized for generating ultra-short laser pulses. Systems, mode-coupled solid-state lasers known from prior art allow for generating laser pulses in the sub-10 ps range only with complicated and alignment-sensitive free-beam arrangements. Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to create a laser system that generates pulse durations of less than 10 ps and which is simple and compact to produce at the same time. In order to achieve this object, the present invention proposes that the passively Q-switched laser 1 is provided with a longitudinally monomode output radiation which is spectrally widened by means of the spectrally widening element 3 by self-phase modulation and is temporally compressed by the compression element 4.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet JenaInventors: Dirk Nodop, Alexander Steinmetz, Jens Limpert, Andreas Tuennermann
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Patent number: 8934509Abstract: An apparatus, method and system that uses a Q-switched laser or a Q-seed source for a seed pulse signal having a controlled high-dynamic-range amplitude that avoids and/or compensates for pulse steepening in high-gain optical-fiber and/or optical-rod amplification of optical pulses. Optionally, the optical output is used for LIDAR or illumination purposes (e.g., for image acquisition). In some embodiments, well-controlled pulse shapes are obtained having a wide dynamic range, long duration, and not-too-narrow linewidth. In some embodiments, upon the opening of a Q-switch in an optical cavity having a gain medium, the amplification builds relatively slowly, wherein each round trip through the gain medium increases the amplitude of the optical pulse. Other embodiments use quasi-Q-switch devices or a plurality of amplitude modulators to obtain Q-seed pulses.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Matthias P. Savage-Leuchs, Christian E. Dilley, Charles A. Lemaire
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Patent number: 8911658Abstract: A system and method for efficiently laser marking a polymer target material, and more particularly a transparent polymer target material, is presented. The system includes a visually transparent polymer target material comprising a surface and a near 2 ?m fiber laser, the fiber laser having a peak power equal to or greater than 10 kW, a pulse repetition rate equal to or greater than 1 kHz, and an average power equal to or less than 20 W. In certain embodiments, the fiber laser may be a Q-switched fiber laser having a pulse width equal to or less than 200 ns or a mode-locked fiber laser having a pulse width equal to or less than 100 ps. The method includes producing, using the fiber laser, a mark that is not transparent to visible wavelengths on the surface of the polymer target material without damaging it.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Advalue Photonics, Inc.Inventor: Shibin Jiang
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Patent number: 8891566Abstract: A system and method for controllably chirping electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source includes an optical cavity arrangement. The optical cavity arrangement enables electromagnetic radiation to be produced with a substantially linear chirp rate and a configurable period. By selectively injecting electromagnetic radiation into the optical cavity, the electromagnetic radiation may be produced with a single resonant mode that is frequency shifted at the substantially linear chirp rate. Producing the electromagnetic radiation with a single resonant mode may increase the coherence length of the electromagnetic radiation, which may be advantageous when the electromagnetic radiation is implemented in various applications. For example, the electromagnetic radiation produced by the optical cavity arrangement may enhance a range, speed, accuracy, and/or other aspects of a laser radar system.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Digital Signal CorporationInventor: Kendall L. Belsley
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Publication number: 20140321483Abstract: Compact optical frequency sources are described. The comb source may include an intra-cavity optical element having a multi-material integrated structure with an electrically controllable active region. The active region may comprise a thin film. By way of example, the thin film and an insulating dielectric material disposed between two electrodes can provide for rapid loss modulation. In some embodiments the thin film may comprise graphene. In various embodiments of a frequency comb laser, rapid modulation of the CEO frequency can be implemented via electric modulation of the transmission or reflection loss of an additional optical element, which can be the saturable absorber itself. In another embodiment, the thin film can also be used as a saturable absorber in order to facilitate passive modelocking. In some implementations the optical element may be formed on a cleaved or polished end of an optical fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicants: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate, IMRA AMERICA, INC.Inventor: IMRA AMERICA, INC.
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Publication number: 20140241386Abstract: A master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) system includes an oscillator having a neodymium-doped gadolinium vanadate gain-medium and delivering seed-pulses. A length of single mode fiber is used to broaden the spectrum of the seed pulse. An amplifier having a neodymium-doped yttrium vanadate gain-medium amplifies the spectrally broadened seed-pulses. The gain-spectrum of the amplifier partially overlaps the broadened pulse-spectrum, providing spectral selection of the seed-pulses in addition to amplification. This provides amplified output-pulses having a duration about one-third that of the corresponding seed-pulses.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: COHERENT GMBHInventor: Stefan SPIEKERMANN
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Patent number: 8811440Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the seed laser in a laser produced plasma (LPP) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the cavity length of the laser may be adjusted by means of a movable mirror forming one end of the cavity. The time delay from the release of an output pulse to the lasing threshold next being reached is measured at different mirror positions, and a mirror position selected which results in a cavity mode being aligned with the gain peak of the laser, thus producing a minimum time delay from an output pulse of the laser to the next lasing threshold. A Q-switch in the laser allows for pre-lasing and thus jitter-free timing of output pulses. Feedback loops keep the laser output at maximum gain and efficiency, and the attenuation and timing at a desired operating point.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Richard L. Sandstrom
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Patent number: 8798105Abstract: A compact, lightweight, laser target designator uses a TIR bounce geometry to place an end-pumped gain element functionally in the center of the resonator path, thereby allowing the resonator path to be terminated by a pair of crossed Porro prisms, so that the designator produces a high quality beam that is insensitive to alignment and temperature, and is low in manufacturing cost. Some embodiments fold the Porro legs of the resonator path back toward the gain element for compactness. Embodiments use a single gain element as both an oscillator gain element with TIR and as an output amplifier gain element without TIR. Various embodiments use block optical elements in a planar layout on a standard support medium such as aluminum to facilitate automated manufacturing.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: John C. McCarthy, Katherine J. Snell, Christopher A. Miller
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Publication number: 20140202247Abstract: A laser source unit obtains Q switch pulse oscillation with a simple structure while continuously switching a plurality of wavelengths. A laser source unit emits pulsed laser beams with a plurality of different wavelengths. A flash lamp radiates excitation light to a laser rod. A pair of mirrors face each other with the laser rod interposed therebetween. The pair of mirrors form an optical resonator. Wavelength selection unit controls the wavelength of light which resonates in the optical resonator to any one of a plurality of wavelengths to be emitted by the laser source unit. Driving unit drives the wavelength selection unit such that the optical resonator performs the Q switch pulse oscillation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Tadashi KASAMATSU, Kazuhiro HIROTA
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Publication number: 20140185634Abstract: The present invention uses a laser apparatus capable of selecting a wavelength of light to be outputted from a plurality of wavelengths, including: a branching unit which is formed of a polarizer and is configured to branch an optical path formed in a resonator including a reflecting unit having a plurality of fixed reflecting planes and an output mirror, into a plurality of optical paths, thereby forming a common optical path having an end defined by the output mirror and a plurality of optical path branches each having an end defined by any one of the reflecting planes; a laser medium disposed in the common optical path; and a selecting unit configured to select, from the plurality of optical path branches, an optical path branch which corresponds to a wavelength of light to be outputted.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: July 3, 2014Inventors: Shigeru Ichihara, Shuichi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8761212Abstract: A method for operating a laser device, which has a laser-active solid-state body including a preferably passive Q switch, in which pumped light is applied to the laser device in order to generate a laser pulse. The laser device and/or an optical link between the laser device and a pumped light source supplying the pumped light is at least partially acted upon by an optical test pulse in order to check the integrity of a/the optical link between the laser device and a pumped light source supplying the pumped light.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Martin Weinrotter, Pascal Woerner, Manfred Vogel, Juergen Raimann, Bernd Schmidtke, Heiko Ridderbusch
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Patent number: 8750339Abstract: A ring laser includes a large-core rare-earth-doped fiber ring-connected with a free-space path having an electro-optic switch, output coupler, and intracavity band-pass filter to enforce lasing operation in narrow wavelength range. In some cavity-dumped modes, the laser is configured in a similar manner, except that an output coupler is omitted since the optical power is extracted from the laser cavity by the electro-optic switch itself. The same laser can be configured to operate in Q-switched and/or cavity-dumping modes as well as in hybrid modes (e.g., partial Q-switch, followed by cavity dumping, or even CW). In some embodiments, the laser can be used as, or inject laser light into, a regenerative solid-state amplifier, or a Raman laser, or can be also used to generate visible, ultra-violet, mid-infrared, and far-infrared (THz) radiation via nonlinear wavelength conversion processes. The various embodiments can use a power oscillator or seed-plus-amplifier MOPA configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Fabio Di Teodoro, Tracy W. Vatter, Christopher D. Brooks, Robert W. Royse, Jr., Matthias P. Savage-Leuchs
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Publication number: 20140148680Abstract: A pulse laser beam is emitted in a desired wavelength sequence using a laser light source unit. A Q switch and a birefringent filter are inserted into an optical resonator including a pair of mirrors and facing each other with a laser rod interposed therebetween. The birefringent filter changes an oscillation wavelength of the optical resonator in association with rotational displacement. The rotation control unit rotates the birefringent filter at a predetermined rotation speed depending on the number of wavelengths included in the wavelength sequence of the pulse laser beam to be emitted. An emission control unit irradiates the laser rod with excitation light, and then turns on the Q switch at a timing when a rotational-displacement-position of the birefringent filter is set to a position corresponding to the wavelength of the pulse laser beam to be emitted, to cause the pulse laser beam to be emitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Tadashi KASAMATSU, Kaku IRISAWA, Kazuhiro HIROTA
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Publication number: 20140148660Abstract: Using a laser source unit, a plurality of wavelengths are switched at a high speed without increasing a rotation speed of a birefringent-filter. A Q switch and a birefringent filter are inserted into an optical resonator including a pair of mirrors facing each other with a laser rod interposed therebetween. The birefringent-filter changes an oscillation wavelength of the optical resonator in association with rotational displacement. Driving unit reciprocatively rotates the birefringent-filter in a predetermined range including a discontinuous point of change characteristics of a transmission wavelength for the rotational displacement. An emission control unit irradiates the laser rod with excitation light from a flash lamp, and then turns on the Q switch at a timing when a rotational displacement position of the birefringent-filter is set to a position corresponding to the wavelength of the pulse laser beam to be emitted, to cause the pulse laser beam to be emitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Kaku IRISAWA, Tadashi KASAMATSU
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Publication number: 20140133501Abstract: There is provided a rotary disk laser module including disk comprised of at least one lasing material. The lasing material may be excited by a laser excitation source, such as an optical pump beam directed onto the disk. The laser gain region contains excited lasing material and extends between the first and second surfaces of the disk. A laser generator is formed when the gain region is brought into optical communication with a laser generator. A laser generator may be a laser oscillator or a laser amplifier. To create pulsed laser output, an optical modulator is positioned in the laser beam propagation path of the laser generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventor: Santanu Basu
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Patent number: 8707921Abstract: A method for operating a laser device which has a laser-active solid and a preferably passive Q-switch in which the laser device is acted upon by pumped light for generating a laser pulse. The radiation spontaneously emitted by the laser device is analyzed for drawing a conclusion about an operating state of the laser device, in particular about a laser pulse being generated.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Heiko Ridderbusch
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Patent number: 8693508Abstract: A light source apparatus includes an optical resonator formed by an optical amplification medium and an optical switch. The optical switch includes a saturable absorber and changes its transmittance or reflectance when receiving an optical pulse emitted from a light irradiation source which includes a wavelength-tunable light source. The light source apparatus emits amplified light from the optical resonator in correspondence with the center wavelength of the optical pulse from the wavelength-tunable light source. The relationship between a length L and an effective refractive index n of the optical resonator and a repetition frequency f of the optical pulse satisfies a condition L<c/(nf), and a relationship between the length L and a recovery time ? in which the changed transmittance or reflectance of the optical switch recovers satisfies a condition ?>(nL)/c.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomohiro Yamada
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Publication number: 20140086268Abstract: A microchip laser includes a microchip laser base comprising a gain region and a passive Q-switch region. The microchip laser also includes a solid etalon coupled to the microchip laser base, and an interfacial coating disposed between the microchip laser base and the solid etalon. In some embodiments, the microchip laser further includes a dichroic coating disposed on a surface of the microchip laser base opposite the interfacial coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Robert D. Stultz, Juan Carlos Sotelo, David M. Filgas
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Patent number: 8660154Abstract: A digitally-controllable laser apparatus includes a resonator, which includes a two-dimensional micromirror array, and an output facet configured to output a laser beam. The array has a controllable two-dimensional reflectivity to provide control of a two-dimensional wave front of the laser beam. A digitally-controlled Q-switching of the laser apparatus, and shaping of the laser beam wave front to thereby steer the laser beam can be realized.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Jasmine Louise Strong
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Q-switched grating vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser system and method for fabricating the same
Patent number: 8654812Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) system and method of fabrication are included. The VCSEL system includes a gain region to amplify an optical signal in response to a data signal and a first mirror arranged as a partially-reflective high-contrast grating (HCG) mirror at an optical output of the VCSEL system. The VCSEL system also includes a second mirror. The first and second mirrors can be arranged as a laser cavity to resonate the optical signal. The VCSEL system further includes a doped semiconductor region to generate a current through the first mirror in response to a voltage signal to substantially alter the reflectivity of the first mirror to provide Q-switching capability of the VCSEL system.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: David A. Fattal, Michael Renne Ty Tan, Raymond G. Beausoleil -
Patent number: 8649404Abstract: A compact optically-pumped solid-state laser designed for efficient nonlinear intracavity frequency conversion into desired wavelengths using periodically poled nonlinear crystals. These crystals contain dopants such as MgO or ZnO and/or have a specified degree of stoichiometry that ensures high reliability. The laser includes a solid-state gain media chip, such as Nd:YVO4, which also provides polarization control of the laser; and a periodically poled nonlinear crystal chip such as PPMgOLN or PPZnOLT for efficient frequency doubling of the fundamental infrared laser beam into the visible wavelength range. The described designs are especially advantageous for obtaining low-cost green and blue laser sources. Also described design of the continuously operated laser with an electro-optic element for modulation of the intensity of the laser output at frequencies up to hundred of megahertz. Such modulation is desired for various applications, including compact projectors with high resolution.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Spectralus CorporationInventors: Stepan Essaian, Dzhakhangir Khaydarov, Andrei Shchegrov
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Patent number: 8636726Abstract: An apparatus and process using a high-power, short-pulsed thulium laser to output infrared laser pulses delivered through an optical fiber, for cutting and ablating biological tissue. In some embodiments, the pulse length is shortened sufficiently to keep inside the stress-confined ablation region of operation. In some embodiments, the pulse is shortened to near the stress-confined ablation region of operation, while being slightly in the thermal-constrained region of operation. In some embodiments, the laser is coupled to a small low-OH optical fiber (˜100 ?m diameter). In some embodiments, the device has a pulse duration of about 100 ns for efficient ablation; however in some embodiments, this parameter is adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Jonathan D. Wells, Mark P. Bendett, Matthias P. Savage-Leuchs, James M. Owen
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Patent number: 8625644Abstract: The invention relates to a Q-switched laser comprised of a pump light source (1), an optical resonator accommodating a laser medium (6), and a passive Q-switch (5). It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved Q-switched laser which is of a simple and compact setup while having the least possible jitter of the repetition time. To achieve this target, the invention proposes that by means of a beam splitter (8) part of the light coupled out of the optical resonator is passed on to an optical delay line (9) and coupled back into the optical resonator upon having passed through the optical delay line (9).Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat JenaInventors: Andreas Tünnermann, Dirk Nodop, Alexander Steinmetz, Jens Limpert
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Publication number: 20130313440Abstract: Improved laser systems and associated techniques generate an ultra-violet (UV) wavelength of approximately 193.368 nm from a fundamental vacuum wavelength near 1064 nm. Preferred embodiments separate out an unconsumed portion of an input wavelength to at least one stage and redirect that unconsumed portion for use in another stage. The improved laser systems and associated techniques result in less expensive, longer life lasers than those currently being used in the industry. These laser systems can be constructed with readily-available, relatively inexpensive components.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: KLA-Tencor CorporationInventors: Yung-Ho Chuang, J. Joseph Armstrong, Vladimir Dribinski, John Fielden
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Publication number: 20130294465Abstract: The specification and drawings present an apparatus and a method for intra-cavity harmonic generation in lasers such as solid-state lasers using a multi-resonance cavity with meniscus lenses for focusing corresponding wavelength radiation components on non-linear optical elements such as non-linear optical crystals using type I or type II phase-matching for significantly increasing efficiency of the harmonic conversion and output powers of generated harmonics. Using only type I or only type II phase-matching for all non-linear crystals may eliminate the requirement of linear-polarization on the fundamental laser wavelength generation. For example, a highly efficient UV Nd:YAG laser at 355 nm (a third harmonic of the fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm for the Nd:YAG laser) using intra-cavity triple resonance cavity and meniscus lenses has been developed using embodiments described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Chao Chang, Laurence E. Cramer
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Publication number: 20130279527Abstract: A system and method for efficiently laser marking a polymer target material, and more particularly a transparent polymer target material, is presented. The system includes a visually transparent polymer target material comprising a surface and a near 2 ?m fiber laser, the fiber laser having a peak power equal to or greater than 10 kW, a pulse repetition rate equal to or greater than 1 kHz, and an average power equal to or less than 20 W. In certain embodiments, the fiber laser may be a Q-switched fiber laser having a pulse width equal to or less than 200 ns or a mode-locked fiber laser having a pulse width equal to or less than 100 ps. The method includes producing, using the fiber laser, a mark that is not transparent to visible wavelengths on the surface of the polymer target material without damaging it.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: ADVALUE PHOTONICS, INC.Inventor: Shibin Jiang
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Patent number: 8559471Abstract: A high-power diode end-pumped solid-state UV laser comprises high-power fiber-coupled end pumping laser diodes, a specially designed fundamental laser cavity and multiple high-power high-efficiency harmonic generations. Nonuniform fundamental laser cavity has to be used, i.e. the beam size of the fundamental laser cannot be uniform in the fundamental cavity. Thermal transfer inside the laser crystal and harmonic crystal has to be specially and carefully treated, and special crystal mounts were designed to optimize the thermal contact and maximize the heat transfer. In addition, harmonic crystal mounts were specially designed to minimize the loss and protect the hydroscopic crystals.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Inventor: Guilin Mao
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Patent number: 8532151Abstract: A passively Q-switched laser comprises a pump laser diode, a micro laser resonant cavity including a lasing medium and a saturable absorber, a filter and a photodiode. The lasing medium and saturable absorber are bonded together, and dielectric film is coated on the surfaces of the bonded body to form the laser resonant cavity. The filter reflects a portion of the Q-switched laser pulse beam. The photodiode can detect and convert the laser pulse to electric signal for triggering purpose.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Photop Suwtech, Inc.Inventors: Dashan Li, Shaofeng Zhang, Chao Lv
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Publication number: 20130230062Abstract: A compact, lightweight, laser target designator uses a TIR bounce geometry to place an end-pumped gain element functionally in the center of the resonator path, thereby allowing the resonator path to be terminated by a pair of crossed Porro prisms, so that the designator produces a high quality beam that is insensitive to alignment and temperature, and is low in manufacturing cost. Some embodiments fold the Porro legs of the resonator path back toward the gain element for compactness. Embodiments use a single gain element as both an oscillator gain element with TIR and as an output amplifier gain element without TIR. Various embodiments use block optical elements in a planar layout on a standard support medium such as aluminum to facilitate automated manufacturing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: John C. McCarthy, KAtherine J. Snell, Christopher A. Miller
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Patent number: 8494024Abstract: A monoblock laser cavity incorporates optical components for a short-pulse laser. These optical components are ‘locked’ into alignment forming an optical laser cavity for flash lamp or diode laser pumping. The optical laser cavity does not need optical alignment after it is fabricated, increasing the brightness of the monoblock laser.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: John E. Nettleton, Lew Goldberg, Dallas N. Barr
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Patent number: 8494015Abstract: A laser device suitable for emitting pulses with a variable period and with stabilized energy includes: a resonant cavity including an amplifying medium presenting a stabilized gain G and suitable for emitting laser pulses at a wavelength ?, and a Q-switch, and a source of continuous pumping of the amplifying medium. It furthermore includes an injector positioned outside the resonant cavity, suitable for emitting a beam of wavelength ? into the amplifying material for the duration of the pumping, and which includes means for adjusting the power of this beam in order to reduce the gain of the amplifying medium to G/k, where k is a real number greater than 1.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: ThalesInventor: Pascal Rousseau
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Patent number: 8488635Abstract: An actively Q-switched laser based on UV illumination mitigates pyroelectric effects in lithium niobate. An exemplary embodiment comprises a pump source; a dichroic mirror having one end optically facing said pump source; a gain medium optically facing another end of said dichroic mirror; a polarizer having one end optically facing another end of said gain medium; a quarter wave plate having one end optically facing another end of said polarizer; and a electro-optic crystal having one end optically facing said quarter wave plate, at least one side of said electro-optic crystal being electrically connected to Q-switch driver to have the crystal function as a Q-switch. A UV illumination source illuminates a side surface of said electrical-optic crystal with UV light. An output mirror receives an output from said Q-switch and produces a laser emission.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Lew Goldberg, Brian J. Cole
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Patent number: 8446925Abstract: A method and device for reducing the timing jitter in a passive Q-switched Nd:YAG solid state laser by spatially selective bleaching a thin sheet of a saturable absorber of Cr+4:YAG from a direction orthogonal to the direction of laser emission where the Cr+4:YAG transmission increases 18% when the bleaching probe beam is a single laser diode bar. For steady state operation of a passive Q-switched laser, the pulse-to-pulse timing jitter showed a ?12× reduction in standard deviation from 241 nsec for free running operation to 20 nsec with optical triggering.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Lew Goldberg, Brian J Cole, John E Nettleton, Dallas N Barr