Abstract: A light source comprising a plurality of laser diode modules, wherein a plurality of high optical power laser diode modules are arranged in high density, each of the plurality of high optical power laser diode modules includes a metal substrate mounting a laser diode chip and an optical instrument thereon; a Peltier device thermally connected to the metal substrate; a heat pipe having a heat absorbing portion and a heat dissipating portion in which the heat absorbing portion is thermally connected to the Peltier device and a heat dissipating fin is provided on the heat dissipating portion; and a heat pipe reinforcing member to hold the heat dissipating fin and reinforce a strength of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A cooling device suitable for cooling a laser diode bar constituting a surface illuminating device as a light source for exciting a laser medium of a solid-state laser oscillator of high power. The cooling device is capable of flowing coolant at sufficient flow rate by reducing the pressure loss in the flow passage of the coolant in the device, to realize a light source device of small thickness with high cooling capability and high reliability. The cooling device comprises a first plate member, one or more second plate member and a third plate member to be joined together to form a laminated body. The second plate member has grooved paths formed on both surfaces thereof and having depths greater than a half of thickness of the plate member, and also opened paths for communicating grooved paths formed on the first plate member and the third plate member.

Abstract: A system for removing waste energy in the form of sensible heat and fluorescent energy from a solid state laser medium having a broad surface. The system includes a manifold disposed about the laser medium having a plurality of inlet jets interspersed with a plurality of exhaust orifices. Coolant fluid is circulated through the manifold. The fluid is forced through the plurality of inlet jets to impinge the broad face of the laser medium, thereby transferring waste energy by convection from the laser medium to the coolant fluid. The coolant fluid is further circulated to exhaust the pumphead manifold through the plurality of exhaust orifices. The fluorescent energy, which is radiated from the laser medium, is converted to sensible heat by an absorber disposed within the coolant adjacent to the laser medium. The coolant then removes the converted heat by forced convection.

Abstract: A system for providing coolant to a heat load includes a first coolant reservoir providing coolant to the heat load and a second coolant reservoir receiving used coolant after passing through the heat load. The used coolant is refreshed by a cooling apparatus which receives the used coolant from the second coolant reservoir, cools the used coolant, and supplies refreshed coolant to said first coolant reservoir. The resulting dual reservoir system offers significant reductions in the size, weight and power of the vapor cycle system (VCS) equipment while providing for accurate temperature control of the coolant delivered to the heat load.

Abstract: A cooling system for an imaging device having a light source for exposing a media in which the cooling system comprises a filter for purifying coolant flowing through the cooling system and a filter bypass for limiting the purity of the coolant. In this way, the coolant, such as water, is prevented from becoming too pure, such that it begins to attack or etch the metal components in the coolant loop in the cooling system. This problem typically arises in the closed loop DI-filtered systems is that the water coolant becomes too pure. It is known that if water becomes more pure than approximately 10 MegaOhms (M&OHgr;), referring to the water's resistance to electrical current which increases with increasing purity, the water can actually begin to etch metal such as copper in copper pipes of the loop.

Abstract: A laser apparatus includes pumping means to emit pumping radiation, a gain medium to absorb the radiation and emit a laser light, and cooling means to cool the gain medium. The cooling means includes a coolant comprising of D2O.

Abstract: A module for optical communication intended for decreasing the consumption power of a modulator integrated laser, in which a, multiple-quantum well constituting a laser active layer region comprises InGaAlAs/InGaNAs to keep the reliability and optical power level even when a chip is kept at a high temperature, and the difference of wavelength between the oscillation wavelength and the band gap wavelength of the modulator and the laser should be made greater in proportion with the elevation of the chip setting temperature for maintaining the transmission performance, by which the temperature difference between the module case temperature and the chip setting temperature is reduced to decrease the module consumption power.

Abstract: A Q-switched microlaser is provided that is capable of supporting a zig-zag resonation pattern in response to pumping of the active gain medium so as to effectively lengthen the microresonator cavity without having to physically lengthen the microresonator cavity. As such, the microlaser can generate pulses having greater pulse widths and correspondingly greater pulse energies and average power levels than the pulses provided by conventional microlasers of a similar size. A corresponding fabrication method is also provided that permits a plurality of Q-switched microlasers to be fabricated in an efficient and repeatable manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving ultrahigh-power output from a solid-state laser. The solid-state laser of the subject invention uses multiple disk-shaped laser gain media (subapertures) placed adjacent to each other to fill an optical aperture of an AMA module. In one preferred embodiment each of the laser gain media is provided with optical coatings for operation in the active mirror configuration. Furthermore, each of the laser gain media is hydrostatic pressure-clamped to a rigid, cooled substrate, which allows it to maintain a prescribed shape even when experiencing significant thermal load. A cooling medium can be provided to a heat exchanger internal to the substrate and/or flowed through the passages on the substrate surface, thereby directly cooling the laser gain medium.

Abstract: Improved temperature stabilization can be obtained for pulsed gas discharge laser systems, such as excimer laser systems, using information about the energy dissipation of the system. Temperature sensors have a limited response time, which can lead to undesirable instability in gas temperature. By determining the heat energy provided to the discharge chamber over sufficiently small periods of time, a system controller can account for rapid variations in the temperature of the laser gas. The temperature regulation controller can adjust a flow of cooling liquid into the discharge chamber to account for these rapid variations on a scale that is much shorter than the response time of the temperature sensors. For variations over longer periods of time, the temperature regulation controller can utilize an active heater in contact with the laser tube to heat the laser tube body, thereby uniformly heating the gas in the tube.

Abstract: In order to improve a laser amplifying system comprising a plate-like solid-state body which has two oppositely located flat sides and comprises a laser-active medium, a cooling member with a support surface which is arranged so as to face one of the flat sides of the solid-state body and with which this flat side is thermally coupled for the discharge of heat, in such a manner that an optimum coupling takes place it is suggested that the flat side of the solid-state body be coupled mechanically and thermally to the support surface by an adhesive layer which is produced from an adhesive which passes from a liquid state into a solid, cross-linked state essentially invariant in volume and that the adhesive layer have an active adhesive layer area with a heat resistance of less than 10 K×mm2/W.

Abstract: A laser amplifier system amplifies pulses in a single “stage” from ˜10−9 joules to more than 10−3 joules, with average power of 1-10 watts, and beam quality M2<2. The laser medium is cooled substantially below room temperature, as a means to improve the optical and thermal characteristics of the medium. This is done with the medium inside a sealed, evacuated or purged cell to avoid moisture or other materials condensing on the surface. A “seed” pulse from a separate laser is passed through the laser medium, one or more times, in any of a variety of configurations including single-pass, multiple-pass, and regenerative amplifier configurations.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser stack apparatus 1 comprises three semiconductor lasers 2a to 2c, two copper plates 3a and 3b, two lead plates 4a and 4b, a supply tube 5, a discharge tube 6, four insulating members 7a to 7d, and three heat sinks 10a to 10c. Here, the heat sink 10a to 10c is formed by a lower planar member 12 having an upper face formed with a supply water path groove portion 22, an intermediate planar member 14 formed with a plurality of water guiding holes 38, and an upper planar member 16 having a lower face formed with a discharge water path groove portion 30 which are successively stacked one upon another, whereas their contact surfaces are joined together.

Abstract: In a semiconductor laser device: a multilayer structure including a plurality of semiconductor layers is formed on a substrate; and at least one dielectric layer is formed on each of two end facets of the multilayer structure, where the at least one dielectric layer on each of the two end facets includes a reflectance control layer. In addition, at least one portion of the multilayer structure in at least one vicinity of at least one of the two end facets contains 10 to 1,500 times more oxygen than the other portions of the multilayer structure.

Abstract: A laser device for generating a laser beam and an optical signal amplifier using thereof for amplifying an optical signal are disclosed. The laser device comprises an optical fiber having a core portion in which a laser medium is doped and a cladding portion covering the core portion. The optical fiber is placed in a pumping light reflection portion in which an index matching oil is contained and a pumping light is confined. Alternatively, the optical fiber is bundled in a bundle portion in a pumping light reflection portion in which the pumping light is confined. The pumping light is introduced to the pumping light reflection portion from a pumping light introducing portion bundled with the laser fiber.

Abstract: The laser beam dump is positioned in a housing. An absorbing glass plate means is operatively connected to the housing. A heat sync means for extracting heat from the absorbing glass plate means is operatively connected to the housing and operatively connected to the absorbing glass plate means.

Abstract: A cooled mirror device for laser systems or the like, comprising a main mirror body and a mirror cover rigidly connected to the main mirror body, wherein the main mirror body and/or the mirror cover have a cooling device, wherein the mirror cover is made from an aluminum material, and coated with copper or another reflection-enhancing material to form a reflection-enhancing mirror surface.

Abstract: A method and devices for generating laser pulse trains for delivery to a target including the use of a single laser generator which produces a plurality of pulse groupings of two or more individual laser pulses within each laser pulse train, generated at selected time intervals. The time intervals between the individual pulses within each of the pulse groupings along with the intervals between pulse groupings themselves are selected and controlled by a controller in reference to several variables including the emission and energy storage lifetimes of the lasing medium, the thermal diffusion time constant of the target, the time required to cool the target after the application of laser pulses to its ambient temperature, and the dissipation time of acoustic waves generated by the pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from a lasing medium of a solid-state laser assembly is provided that comprises a working fluid and at least one condensation surface defined by a housing in which at least a portion of the lasing medium is housed. The apparatus further comprises a coolant circuit and a wick disposed to distribute the working fluid in a liquid state over at least a portion of an outer surface of the lasing medium and to capture working fluid condensing upon the at least one condensation surface. During use, the wick distributes the working fluid in a liquid state over the at least a portion of the outer surface of the lasing medium. During contact with the at least a portion of the outer surface of the lasing medium, the working fluid evaporates and removes heat from the lasing medium. The working fluid in a vapor state contacts the at least one condensation surface, transfers heat to the at least one condensation surface, and condenses on the at least one condensation surface.

Abstract: A cooling system having a single circulator cools a laser, laser power supply, and laser light valve using two parallel cooling loops having different flow rates. Independent protection against an over temperature condition of the laser, laser power supply, and/or laser light valve is provided in each cooling loop.

Abstract: A liquid immersed pumped solid state lasing system comprising a light source and a lasing element spaced from the light source. The light source and the lasing element are mounted in an insulated container. The top of the container is open for inputting a clear cryogenic cooling liquid into the container to totally immerse the light source and the lasing element in the liquid. Heat transfer occurs by conduction from the light source and the lasing element to the liquid thereby cooling the light source and the lasing element to cryogenic temperatures. The container has a window for the output of laser light. A plurality of electrical leads which are superconducting at cryogenic temperatures are attached to the light source. When the leads are connected to a power supply outside the container, the light source directs light on the lasing element so that the lasing element is excited and transmits a light output through the window.

Abstract: The present invention alms at providing a low cost optical transmitter capable of controlling, with a high precision, fluctuations in optical output characteristic of a semiconductor light emitting device such as due to a temperature change.

Abstract: A system for providing coolant to a heat load includes a first coolant reservoir providing coolant to the heat load and a second coolant reservoir receiving used coolant after passing through the heat load. The used coolant is refreshed by a cooling apparatus which receives the used coolant from the second coolant reservoir, cools the used coolant, and supplies refreshed coolant to said first coolant reservoir. The resulting dual reservoir system offers significant reductions in the size, weight and power of the vapor cycle system (VCS) equipment while providing for accurate temperature control of the coolant delivered to the heat load.

Abstract: The present invention provides an edge cladding for a slab laser, the edge cladding comprising a cooling channel system therein.

Abstract: The laser diode arrays with removable linear laser diode bars and the methods of removing and replacing linear laser diode bars of the present invention provide easy and immediate removal of individual linear laser diode bars in laser diode arrays. The laser diode array is at least partially made of a plurality of removable linear laser diode bars and a plurality of spacers, such that each removable linear laser diode bar is disposed between a respective pair of spacers. A linear laser diode bar may be slideably removed from between the respective pair of spacers in the laser diode array without breaking any mechanical connection between the removable linear laser diode bar and the respective pair of spacers. A replacement linear laser diode bar may then be slideably inserted between the respective pair of spacers without forming a mechanical connection between the replacement linear laser diode bar and the spacers.

Abstract: A system for removing waste energy in the form of sensible heat and fluorescent energy from a solid state laser medium having a broad surface. The system includes a manifold disposed about the laser medium having a plurality of inlet jets interspersed with a plurality of exhaust orifices. Coolant fluid is circulated through the manifold. The fluid is forced through the plurality of inlet jets to impinge the broad face of the laser medium, thereby transferring waste energy by convection from the laser medium to the coolant fluid. The coolant fluid is further circulated to exhaust the pumphead manifold through the plurality of exhaust orifices. The fluorescent energy, which is radiated from the laser medium, is converted to sensible heat by an absorber disposed within the coolant adjacent to the laser medium. The coolant then removes the converted heat by forced convection.

Abstract: In an excimer laser oscillation apparatus including a laser chamber (20) constituted by a laser tube (2) for storing a laser gas containing a gas mixture of at least one inert gas selected from the group consisting of Kr, Ar, and Ne, He and F2 gas, and an optical resonator consisting of a pair of reflection mirrors (5, 6) arranged to sandwich the laser chamber (20) therebetween, the inner surface of the laser chamber (20) for storing the laser gas has a reflection-free surface with respect to light of a desired wavelength of 248 nm, 193 nm, or 157 nm, and the uppermost surface of the inner surface consists of a fluoride, and a means (waveguide 1) for introducing a microwave for exciting the laser gas in the laser chamber (20) is prepared.

Abstract: A laser cooling apparatus and method. Generally, the inventive apparatus includes a mechanism for transporting sensible thermal energy from a solid state laser and for communicating waste fluorescent radiation therefrom as well. In the illustrative embodiment, the apparatus includes an optically transparent manifold with an inlet port, an exhaust port and a plurality of spray nozzles therebetween adapted to direct a cooling fluid on the laser medium of a laser. In addition, the optically transparent manifold is used to permit waste fluorescent radiation to escape the confines of the laser and cooling system means such that said fluorescent radiation may be optically directed to an external heat sink such as free space.

Abstract: A cavity has a longitudinal hollow having opposite open ends. An excitation source, such as a YAG rod, is accommodated in the hollow of the cavity. A hollow, cylindrical rod holder is inserted into each of the opposite open ends of the hollow and is fitted over a corresponding end of the YAG rod. A seal is fitted into a hollow of the rod holder adjacent to a portion of the rod holder fitted over the end of the YAG rod. The seal includes an annular seal body with a U-shaped section, e.g. made from Teflon®, and fitted over an outer periphery of the YAG rod to grip the YAG rod, as well as a spring fitted in a groove of the seal body provided by the U-shaped section so as to circumferentially surround a gripped portion of the YAG rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from a lasing medium of a solid-state laser assembly is provided that comprises a working fluid and at least one condensation surface defined by a housing in which at least a portion of the lasing medium is housed. The apparatus further comprises a coolant circuit and a wick disposed to distribute the working fluid in a liquid state over at least a portion of an outer surface of the lasing medium and to capture working fluid condensing upon the at least one condensation surface. During use, the wick distributes the working fluid in a liquid state over the at least a portion of the outer surface of the lasing medium. During contact with the at least a portion of the outer surface of the lasing medium, the working fluid evaporates and removes heat from the lasing medium. The working fluid in a vapor state contacts the at least one condensation surface, transfers heat to the at least one condensation surface, and condenses on the at least one condensation surface.

Abstract: A laser cooling apparatus and method. Generally, the inventive apparatus includes a mechanism for transporting sensible thermal energy from a solid state laser and for communicating waste fluorescent radiation therefrom as well. In the illustrative embodiment, the apparatus includes an optically transparent manifold (10) with an inlet port (12), an exhaust port (19) and a plurality of spray nozzles (16) therebetween adapted to direct a cooling fluid on the laser medium (20) of a laser (30). In addition, the optically transparent manifold (10) is used to permit waste fluorescent radiation to escape the confines of the laser and cooling system means such that said fluorescent radiation may be optically directed to an external heat sink such as free space.

Abstract: A cylindrical two-dimensional diode-laser assembly includes fractionally-cylindrical dielectric segments bonded in a circular aperture in a metal heat-sink. Diode laser bars are located in gaps between the segments with light from the diode-lasers directed inwardly. The segments are made by cutting slots in one end of a tube of the dielectric material with the width of the slots corresponding to the width of the gaps and the part of the tube between slots providing the segments. The slotted tube is metallized and the slotted end of the tube is inserted into the heat-sink aperture with an unslotted part of the tube outside the aperture. The slotted part of the tube is bonded in the aperture and the unslotted part of the tube separated from the slotted part leaving the segments bonded in the aperture.

Abstract: A laser has at least two coaxial electrode tubes spaced apart to provide a laser cavity therebetween and a cooling system including cooling coils about the outer surface of the outer electrode and about the inner surface of the inner electrode and in heat exchange contact therewith. Support pipes are provided about the outside of the outside cooling coil and about the inside surface of the inner cooling coil. The cooling coils are deformed into improved heat exchange contact with the electrode tubes by internal pressure and may be softened by annealing or the like before the application of the deformation pressure.

Abstract: A microchannel-cooled, optically corrected, laser diode array is fabricated by mounting laser diode bars onto Si surfaces. This approach allows for the highest thermal impedance, in a ruggedized, low-cost assembly that includes passive microlens attachment without the need for lens frames. The microlensed laser diode array is usable in all solid-state laser systems that require efficient, directional, narrow bandwidth, high optical power density pump sources.

Abstract: An optically pumped laser has a gain medium positioned inside of an optical resonator cavity and disposed about a resonator optical axis. An optical pumping source is positioned outside of the optical resonator cavity. A reflective coupler with a coupler body, and an interior volume passing therethrough is positioned proximal to the optical pumping source. Light from the pumping source passes into an entrance aperture of the reflective coupler to an exit aperture of the reflective coupler positioned distal to the optical pumping source. The interior volume of the reflective coupler is bounded by a reflective surface, an entrance aperture and the exit aperture, and is substantially transparent to radiation from the optical pumping source. The reflective surface has a high reflectivity matched to radiation from the optical pumping source.

Abstract: A cooling device is provided wherein are stacked cooling units on which laser diode arrays are mounted, comprising intake openings provided such that they pass through first portions in the cooling units in order to conduct cooling liquid about the peripheries of each of the laser diode arrays, outlet openings provided such that they pass through second portions of the cooling units in order to discharge to the outside of the cooling device the cooling liquid that has cooled each of the laser diode arrays, and inflow openings that pass through third portions in the cooling units, and are connected to the intake openings, and through which cooling liquid is supplied from the outside.

Abstract: A solid-state laser system includes a solid-state laser having a laser gain medium and at least one pumping diode. The system also includes a thermal management system capable of placing a coolant in thermal communication with the solid-state laser such that the coolant can carry heat away from the solid-state laser. The thermal management system is then capable of rejecting the heat carried away by the coolant to a fluid at an ambient temperature, where the coolant can be at a temperature between 40° C. and 80° C. when the thermal management system rejects the heat. Advantageously, the thermal management system of the present invention can include reject the heat to a fluid comprising, for example, air or water. As such, the thermal management system does not require separate cooling of the fluid carrying the heat away from the coolant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving a near diffraction-limited, high-average power output from a solid-state laser oscillator are provided. The solid-state laser uses multiple disk-shaped laser gain media having a large optical aperture placed in an unstable resonator. The laser gain media is provided with optical coatings for operation in the active mirror configuration and is attached to a rigid, cooled substrate, which allows it to maintain a prescribed shape even when experiencing significant thermal load. The resonator is configured so as to preferentially support low order optical modes with transverse dimensions sufficiently large to efficiently fill the gain media apertures. Resonator configurations capable of producing standing wave or traveling wave optical fields are disclosed. The resonator may include means for intracavity correction of an optical phase front by adaptive optics.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for achieving improved performance in a solid-state laser. The solid-state laser apparatus preferably uses a laser gain medium in the shape of a disk wherein optical pump radiation is injected into the peripheral edge of the disk. In the preferred embodiment the laser gain medium is provided with optical coatings for operation in the active mirror configuration. Furthermore, the laser gain medium is pressure-clamped to a rigid, cooled substrate, which allows it to maintain a prescribed shape even when experiencing significant thermal load. A cooling medium can be provided to a heat exchanger internal to the substrate and/or flowed through the passages on the substrate surface, thereby directly cooling the laser gain medium. Sources of optical pump radiation are placed around the perimeter of the gain medium. Tapered ducts may be disposed between the sources and the gain medium for the purpose of concentrating optical pump radiation.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus for performing treatments on an affected part by irradiating the affected part with a laser beam for treatment is disclosed. This apparatus includes a laser oscillator, a cooling unit including a fan which cools the laser oscillator, a temperature sensor which directly or indirectly detects a temperature of the laser oscillator, and a control unit which drives the fan at roughly constant low speed when a detected temperature by the temperature sensor is below a predetermined reference value and at roughly constant high speed when the detected temperature is the predetermined reference value or more.

Abstract: A laser device and methods of lasing, the laser device comprising a chamber containing a volume formed therein and a gain medium within the volume. The gain medium comprises solid-state portions containing active laser ion suspended within a fluid which exhibits a refractive index which is substantially similar to that of the solid-state portions. In a variation, the gain medium is flowed through the volume, cooled externally of the volume and then flowed back through volume. In preferred form, the solid state portions are either naturally suspended within the fluid or are suspended by flow within the fluid. Thus, laser devices are provided in which the laser and the coolant are homogenized into a single gain medium exhibiting thermal properties of a liquid laser but with solid state gain material in order to produce high energy and high average power.

Abstract: A laser device which may be used as an oscillator or amplifier comprising a chamber having a volume formed therein and a gain medium within the volume. The gain medium comprises solid-state elements containing active laser ion distributed within the volume. A cooling fluid flows about the solid-state elements and a semiconductor laser diode provides optical pump radiation into the volume of the laser chamber such that laser emission from the device passes through the gain medium and the fluid. The laser device provides the advantages of a solid-state gain medium laser (e.g., diode-pumping, high power density, etc), but enables operation at higher average power and beam quality than would be achievable from a pure solid-state medium.

Abstract: Commercially available diode lasers are operated immersed in liquid nitrogen (LN2, 77 K), in another cryo-fluid, or are cryo-cooled (77 K-250 K) by conduction in all high-power (>0.1 W) applications. The result is higher output power per diode chip area, higher conversion efficiency, lower cost per watt of laser power, longer lifetime, higher reliability, smaller thermal gradients inside the laser chip and therefore better thermal management due to the higher thermal conductivity of the semiconductor and substrate material. The cryo-diode lasers are driven by cryogenically cooled and integrated power electronics ciruitry using Cryo-MOSFETs or Cryo-CMOS ICs. Applications of the Cryo-Diode Laser/Cryo-Driver assembly include generation of hyperpolarized He-3 or Xe-129 gases for inert gas magnetic resonance imaging of the airways in human beings, metal and materials working and processing with laser tools, “pumping” solid-state lasers and many others.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving a near diffraction-limited, high-average power output from a solid-state laser oscillator are provided. The solid-state laser uses multiple disk-shaped laser gain media having a large optical aperture placed in an unstable resonator. The laser gain media is provided with optical coatings for operation in the active mirror configuration and is attached to a rigid, cooled substrate, which allows it to maintain a prescribed shape even when experiencing significant thermal load. The resonator is configured so as to preferentially support low order optical modes with transverse dimensions sufficiently large to efficiently fill the gain media apertures. Resonator configurations capable of producing standing wave or traveling wave optical fields are disclosed. The resonator may include means for intracavity correction of an optical phase front by adaptive optics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump chamber (2), in which laser active medium is stored. The pump light is introduced into said pump chamber (2), by means of one or several fluid light guides (12), whereby the fluid used as a light guide is used as coolant for the laser active medium (1).

Abstract: A solid-state laser includes a crystal wafer provided as an active medium, a cooling chamber for accommodating a cooling liquid, and an optically transparent support body. The crystal wafer has a flat side that faces the cooling chamber and a side that is remote from the cooling chamber. The flat side of the crystal wafer is in direct thermal contact with the cooling liquid. The cooling chamber has a wall element that is formed by the crystal wafer. The optically transparent support body is configured on the side of the crystal wafer that is remote from the cooling chamber. Since, the crystal wafer is in direct thermal contact with the cooling liquid, a minimal heat transfer resistance is ensured that even when the crystal wafer becomes deformed.

Abstract: A passively cooled solid-state laser system for producing high-output power is set forth. The system includes an optics bench assembly containing a laser head assembly which generates a high-power laser beam. A laser medium heat sink assembly is positioned in thermal communication with the laser medium for conductively dissipating waste heat and controlling the temperature of the laser medium. A diode array heat sink assembly is positioned in thermal communication with the laser diode array assembly for conductively dissipating waste heat and controlling the temperature of the laser diode array assembly. The heat sink assemblies include heat exchangers with extending surfaces in intimate contact with phase change material. When the laser system is operating, the phase change material transitions from solid to liquid phase.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser excitation solid laser of the invention has a solid laser medium, a semiconductor laser for exciting the solid laser medium, a spectrometer for detecting a wavelength region of a radiation spectrum of the semiconductor laser for exciting the solid laser medium, computation means such as a comparator for normalizing an area of the detected spectrum detected by the spectrometer and computing an overlap area between the normalized detected spectrum and a normalized absorption spectrum involved in laser excitation of the solid laser medium, and temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the semiconductor laser based on the output from the computation means.

Abstract: A cooling device for laser diodes comprising a stem which comprises a 2 mm thick Cu substrate having thereon an array of grooves extending to the resonator length of a laser diode device with a width of 50 &mgr;m and a depth of 300 &mgr;m and a 100 &mgr;m thick Cu cover plate for hermetically sealing the grooved surface by, e.g. soldering. The groove contains a working fluid of deionized water filled under reduced pressure, forming a heat pipe. A plurality of heat pipes is created to form a heat pipe array. Forty GaN laser diode devices each having five light-emitting areas, each of which has an optical power of 100 mW, are mounted with junction-down on the upper surface of cover plate, forming a bar laser with a total output of approximately 20 W.

Abstract: A cooling system having a single circulator cools a laser, laser power supply, and laser light valve using two parallel cooling loops having different flow rates. Independent protection against an over temperature condition of the laser, laser power supply, and/or laser light valve is provided in each cooling loop.