Patent US1595001A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4187475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuously variable laser output coupler
Assignee: Analytical Radiation Corp
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Filing: 1978-01-05
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Granted: 1980-02-05
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Expires: 1998-01-05
Abstract
Abstract The output power of any laser is optimized by providing an output mirror with a transmission which varies as a function of position on the mirror and transmitted wavelength. The transmission which corresponds to the optimum output for a given laser wavelength is chosen by monitoring laser output and moving the output mirror in at least one direction essentially perpendicular to the laser beam axis while maintaining the orientation of its reflecting surface perpendicular to the laser beam axis, and locating the mirror position corresponding to optimum laser output.
Inventors
- 👤 Irwin Wieder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/13; H01S3/139; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for optimizing the output of a laser comprising: providing as part of a laser cavity an output mirror with a range of transmission values, said transmission values varying in a known way as a function of wavelength and position along a gradient, monitoring the output power of said laser, and moving said output mirror along a gradient in the plane of said output mirror so that said plane remains essentially perpendicular to the laser beam axis, and until said monitored output power is optimized.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for optimizing the output of a laser comprising: providing as part of a laser cavity an output mirror with a range of transmission values, said transmission values varying in a known way as a function of wavelength and position along a gradient, monitoring the output power of said laser, and moving said output mirror along a gradient in the plane of said output mirror so that said plane remains essentially perpendicular to the laser beam axis, and until said monitored output power is optimized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said output mirror is a linear filter wedge with a thickness gradient of dielectric layers along a linear axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said output mirror is a circular filter wedge with a thickness gradient of dielectric layers along a circumference of said wedge.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for stabilizing the output power of a laser, said method comprising: providing as part of a laser cavity an output mirror with a range of transmission values, said transmission values varying in a known way as a function of wavelength and position along a gradient, monitoring the output power of said laser, and, moving said output mirror along a gradient in the plane of said output mirror so that said plane remains essentially perpendicular to the laser beam axis, and until said monitored output power is stabilized to a predetermined level.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for stabilizing the output power of a laser, said method comprising: providing as part of a laser cavity an output mirror with a range of transmission values, said transmission values varying in a known way as a function of wavelength and position along a gradient, monitoring the output power of said laser, and, moving said output mirror along a gradient in the plane of said output mirror so that said plane remains essentially perpendicular to the laser beam axis, and until said monitored output power is stabilized to a predetermined level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said output mirror is a linear filter wedge with a thickness gradient of dielectric layers along a linear axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said output mirror is a circular filter wedge with a thickness gradient of dielectric layers along a circumference of said wedge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
A laser apparatus comprising: an active laser medium having pumping means operatively associated therewith, an optical resonator disposed about said laser medium, said resonator including at least one output mirror for transmitting an output beam wherein the output mirror of said optical resonator is a wedge filter having servo controlled mechanical means supporting said wedge filter, said mechanical means for moving said wedge in a direction in the plane of said wedge and along a thickness gradient of said wedge, said mechanical means maintaining the orientation of said plane of said wedge essentially perpendicular to said output beam of said laser, and, means disposed in the path of the output beam for monitoring the output of said laser, said monitoring means generating a control signal electrically transmitted to said servo for controlling the position of said wedge filter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
A laser apparatus comprising: an active laser medium having pumping means operatively associated therewith, an optical resonator disposed about said laser medium, said resonator including at least one output mirror for transmitting an output beam wherein the output mirror of said optical resonator is a wedge filter having servo controlled mechanical means supporting said wedge filter, said mechanical means for moving said wedge in a direction in the plane of said wedge and along a thickness gradient of said wedge, said mechanical means maintaining the orientation of said plane of said wedge essentially perpendicular to said output beam of said laser, and, means disposed in the path of the output beam for monitoring the output of said laser, said monitoring means generating a control signal electrically transmitted to said servo for controlling the position of said wedge filter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The laser apparatus of claim 7 wherein said optical resonator includes a frequency tunable element other than said wedge filter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The laser apparatus of claim 8, wherein said frequency tunable element other than said wedge filter is a reflection grating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The laser apparatus of claim 7 wherein said laser medium has variable gain.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said servo means is adapted to hunt for maximum beam output.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said servo means is adapted to hunt for a preset level of beam output.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-04 | 1983-08-06 | 1984-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-04 | 1987-08-06 | 1988-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-04 | 1991-08-06 | 1992-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |