US4884277A
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Frequency conversion of optical radiation
Assignee: Scientific Atlanta LLC
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Filing: 1988-06-16
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Granted: 1989-11-28
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Expires: 2008-06-16
Abstract
Abstract An intracavity frequency-modified laser of improved amplitude stability is obtained through the use of a plurality of nonlinear optical crystals within the laser cavity.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas A. Anthon
- 👤 Donald L. Sipes, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:06
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/108; H01S3/109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for frequency-doubling a laser which comprises: (a) converting the radiation of said laser into frequency-doubled radiation within the optical cavity of the laser with nonlinear optical means comprising at least two nonlinear optical crystals which are oriented so that said laser radiation interacts with said crystals along a phase-match axis of each crystal for frequency-doubling said laser radiation; (b) withdrawing said frequency-doubled radiation from the optical cavity as output radiation; and (c) maintaining the temperature of said optical cavity within a range over which said output radiation is substantially noise-free.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for frequency-doubling a laser which comprises: (a) converting the radiation of said laser into frequency-doubled radiation within the optical cavity of the laser with nonlinear optical means comprising at least two nonlinear optical crystals which are oriented so that said laser radiation interacts with said crystals along a phase-match axis of each crystal for frequency-doubling said laser radiation; (b) withdrawing said frequency-doubled radiation from the optical cavity as output radiation; and (c) maintaining the temperature of said optical cavity within a range over which said output radiation is substantially noise-free.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 which additionally comprises orienting said crystals about said axis so that frequency-doubled radiation is generated from all possible polarizations of said laser radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said crystals are of the same composition and have a different crystallographic orientation with respect to each other.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) generating optical pumping radiation from optical pumping means which is selected from the group consisting of laser diodes and light-emitting diodes; (b) generating optical radiation of a first frequency within an optical cavity for said radiation of a first frequency by optically pumping a solid lasant material within said optical cavity; (c) converting said radiation of a first frequency into optical radiation of a second frequency within said optical cavity with nonlinear optical means comprising at least two nonlinear optical crystals which are oriented so that radiation of said first frequency interacts with said crystals along a phase-match axis of each crystal of said radiation of a first and second frequency; (d) withdrawing said optical radiation of a second frequency from said optical cavity as output radiation; and (e) maintaining the temperature of said optical cavity within a range over which said output radiation is substantially noise-free.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) generating optical pumping radiation from optical pumping means which is selected from the group consisting of laser diodes and light-emitting diodes; (b) generating optical radiation of a first frequency within an optical cavity for said radiation of a first frequency by optically pumping a solid lasant material within said optical cavity; (c) converting said radiation of a first frequency into optical radiation of a second frequency within said optical cavity with nonlinear optical means comprising at least two nonlinear optical crystals which are oriented so that radiation of said first frequency interacts with said crystals along a phase-match axis of each crystal of said radiation of a first and second frequency; (d) withdrawing said optical radiation of a second frequency from said optical cavity as output radiation; and (e) maintaining the temperature of said optical cavity within a range over which said output radiation is substantially noise-free.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second frequency is twice that of said first frequency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 5 which additionally comprises orienting said crystals about said axis so that radiation of a second frequency is generated from all possible polarizations of said radiation of a first frequency which is circulating within the optical cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said crystals are of the same composition and have a different crystallographic orientation with respect to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said crystals are comprised of potassium titanyl phosphate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said lasant material is selected from the group consisting of neodymium-doped YAG, neodymium-doped YALO, neodymium-doped YLF, neodymium-doped GSGG and neodymium-doped glass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said nonlinear optical means consists of two nonlinear optical crystals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 1 which additionally comprises: (a) measuring the noise in the frequency-doubled output radiation from said laser as a function of the temperature of said optical cavity; (b) determining a temperature range for said optical cavity over which said output radiation is substantially noise-free; and (c) maintaining the temperature of said optical cavity at a value which is within said determined temperature range during subsequent operation of the laser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 4 which additionally comprises: (a) measuring the noise in said output radiation as a function of the temperature of said optical cavity; (b) determining a temperature range for said optical cavity over which said output radiation is substantially noise-free; and (c) maintaining the temperature of said optical cavity at a value which is within said determined temperature range during subsequent production of said output radiation.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) an optical cavity for optical radiation of a first frequency; (b) lasant material disposed within said cavity for generating optical radiation of said first frequency; and (c) nonlinear optical means for converting said optical radiation of a first frequency into optical radiation of a second frequency wherein said nonlinear optical means comprises at least two nonlinear optical crystals which are positioned within said optical cavity and oriented so that radiation of said first frequency circulating within the optical cavity can interact with said crystals along a phase-match axis of each crystal for said radiation of a first and second frequency.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) an optical cavity for optical radiation of a first frequency; (b) lasant material disposed within said cavity for generating optical radiation of said first frequency; and (c) nonlinear optical means for converting said optical radiation of a first frequency into optical radiation of a second frequency wherein said nonlinear optical means comprises at least two nonlinear optical crystals which are positioned within said optical cavity and oriented so that radiation of said first frequency circulating within the optical cavity can interact with said crystals along a phase-match axis of each crystal for said radiation of a first and second frequency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the orientation of said crystals about said axis is such that radiation of a second frequency is generated from all possible polarizations of said circulating radiation of a first frequency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said crystals are of the same composition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said crystals have a different crystallographic orientation with respect to each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 13 which additionally comprises temperature control means for adjusting and controlling the temperature of said optical cavity and its contents.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said temperature control means is effective to maintain said optical cavity and its contents at a substantially constant temperature.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second frequency is twice that of said first frequency.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
151 words
A multilongitudinal mode, optically pumped, solid state laser comprising: (a) an optical cavity for optical radiation of a first frequency; (b) optical pumping means for generating optical pumping radiation which is selected from the group consisting of laser diodes and light-emitting diodes; (c) solid lasant material which is disposed within said cavity, positioned to receive pumping radiation from said optical pumping means, and effective for generating optical radiation of said first frequency upon receiving said pumping radiation; and (d) nonlinear optical means for converting said radiation of a first frequency into optical radiation of a second frequency wherein said nonlinear optical means comprises at least two nonlinear optical crystals which are positioned within said optical cavity and oriented so that radiation of said first frequency circulating within the optical cavity can interact with said crystals along a phase-match axis of each crystal for said radiation of a first and second frequency.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
151 words
A multilongitudinal mode, optically pumped, solid state laser comprising: (a) an optical cavity for optical radiation of a first frequency; (b) optical pumping means for generating optical pumping radiation which is selected from the group consisting of laser diodes and light-emitting diodes; (c) solid lasant material which is disposed within said cavity, positioned to receive pumping radiation from said optical pumping means, and effective for generating optical radiation of said first frequency upon receiving said pumping radiation; and (d) nonlinear optical means for converting said radiation of a first frequency into optical radiation of a second frequency wherein said nonlinear optical means comprises at least two nonlinear optical crystals which are positioned within said optical cavity and oriented so that radiation of said first frequency circulating within the optical cavity can interact with said crystals along a phase-match axis of each crystal for said radiation of a first and second frequency.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser of claim 20 wherein said second frequency is twice that of said first frequency.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The laser of claim 20 wherein the orientation of said crystals about said axis is such that radiation of a second frequency is generated for all possible polarization of said circulating radiation of a first frequency.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The layer of claim 20 wherein said crystals are of the same composition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laser of claim 23 wherein said crystals have a different crystallographic orientation with respect to each other.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laser of claim 23 wherein said crystals are comprised of potassium titanyl phosphate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The laser of claim 20 which additionally comprises temperature of control means for adjusting and controlling the temperature of said optical cavity and its contents.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The laser of claim 26 wherein said temperature control means is effective to maintain said optical cavity and its contents at a substantially constant temperature.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laser of claim 20 wherein said lasant material is selected from the group consisting of neodymium-doped YAG, neodymium-doped YALO and neodymium-doped YLF.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser of claim 20 wherein said nonlinear optical means consists of two nonlinear optical crystals.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) generating optical radiation of a first frequency from a lasant material within an optical cavity for said radiation of a first frequency; and (b) converting said optical radiation of a first frequency into optical radiation of a second frequency within said optical cavity with nonlinear optical means comprising at least two nonlinear optical crystals which are oriented so that radiation of said first frequency interacts with said crystals along a phase-match axis of each crystal for said radiation of a first and second frequency.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) generating optical radiation of a first frequency from a lasant material within an optical cavity for said radiation of a first frequency; and (b) converting said optical radiation of a first frequency into optical radiation of a second frequency within said optical cavity with nonlinear optical means comprising at least two nonlinear optical crystals which are oriented so that radiation of said first frequency interacts with said crystals along a phase-match axis of each crystal for said radiation of a first and second frequency.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said second frequency is twice that of said first frequency.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 30 which additionally comprises orienting said crystals about said axis so that radiation of a second frequency is generated from all possible polarizations of said radiation of a first frequency which is circulating within the optical cavity.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 30 which additionally comprises orienting said crystals so that they have a different crystallographic orientation with respect to each other.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 30 which additionally comprises maintaining the temperature of said optical cavity and its contents at a substantially constant value.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said temperature is maintained within about ±0.5° C. of the selected value.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said temperature is maintained within about ±0.1° C. of the selected value.
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) | 1992-11-27 | 1993-05-29 | 1993-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-05-29 | 1997-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-27 | 2001-05-29 | 2001-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |