Spectra Physics Lasers, Inc.

Spectra-physics Gmbh

David R Dudley

William L Nighan, Jr

Mark S Keirstead

Hanna J Hoffman

Norman Hodgson

Oliver Mehl

A diode end-pumped solid state laser is provided which produces improved power output, long term stability and improved conversion efficiency from the pumping power, high as well as low power operation while maintaining certain desirable common characteristics such as TEMoperation, circular outputs, readily aligned systems and compatibility with long lifetime for all components. The invention intracavity conversion to second, third and higher harmonics in several different spectral regimes. The invention also addresses the aspects of design flexibility, seeking in certain embodiments to provide a single platform for providing several harmonic beams.

Diode pumped laser with intracavity harmonics

A high power diode pumped laser is disclosed which has at least one resonator mirror and an output coupler. At least one laser crystal with strong thermal focussing properties is included. The laser includes at least one diode pump source supplying a pump beam to the laser crystal, producing a thermal lens in the laser crystal. The combination of the laser crystal, thermal lens, resonator mirrors and output coupler create a confocal-to-concentric resonator. An output beam is generated, which may be polarized. Further, a Q-switch may be included in the resonator, particularly when the laser crystal is Nd:YAG.

Confocal-to-concentric diode pumped laser

A high power diode pumped, acousto-optically Q-switched Nd:YVO.sub.4 laser includes at least one resonator mirror and an output coupler defining a resonator cavity. At least one acousto-optic Q-switch device and at least one laser crystal, with strong thermal focussing properties, are positioned in the resonator. One or more diode pump sources supply a pump beam to the laser crystal or crystals to generate an output beam. A power source supplies power to the diode pump source.

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El Granada, CA, United States of America

David R Dudley