Jds Uniphase Corporation

Uniphase Corporation

Mathew Mahmoudi

Warne M Rintala

A power supply is provided for use in a laser system including a gas ion laser tube which requires a filament voltage provided by an output section of the power supply. The filament voltage provided should not exceed a maximum AC filament voltage specified for the laser tube. The power supply is configured to receive AC utility power using one of at least first and second AC utility power sources having different first and second intended fixed magnitudes and which utility sources vary in amplitude from the intended fixed magnitudes over corresponding first and second source voltage ranges. The power supply is configured to include a power control arrangement which automatically controls the output section to generate an auto-ranging AC filament voltage from either of the first and second utility sources to be supplied as the filament voltage. For each of the first and second AC utility power sources, the auto-ranging AC filament voltage is limited to a regulated range extending below, but not exceeding the maximum AC filament voltage when the first and second voltages are within the first and second source voltage ranges, irrespective of which of the first or second AC utility power sources to which the power supply is connected. In one feature, the filament voltage is provided to the laser tube in a way which manages an operating lifetime of the laser tube in view of known lifetime data. In another feature, minimum air cooling requirements of a laser tube are met when one or more auto-ranging AC fan voltages are generated by the auto-ranging power supply over the first and second AC utility source voltage ranges.

Automated AC filament universal laser power controller in a gas ion laser system and method

A multi-mode/universal laser power controller is disclosed for use in an overall laser system. An associated method is also disclosed. The controller may drive one of at least two different laser tubes which require different particular sets of drive voltages. The power controller includes a first arrangement for selecting first and second modes of operation of the power controller depending on and corresponding to which specific one of the two different laser tubes the power controller is intended to drive and a power conversion arrangement which is designed to operate from one of at least two different AC input voltages and which is responsive to the particular mode selected by the first arrangement such that the power conversion arrangement uses a selected one of the input voltages to produce the particular set of drive voltages to be used to drive the specifically selected laser tube. In one feature, a method is disclosed for starting the gas ion laser tube. In another feature, an arrangement is disclosed for providing an anode current control signal by measuring a sense voltage in the anode lead such that the sensed voltage is not subjected to filament current which circulates in the cathode lead. In yet another feature, the power controller includes a primary ground and switching means electrically connected to the primary ground for use in regulating the flow of anode current.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Mathew Mahmoudi