Imra America, Inc.

Kms Fusion, Inc.

Otho E Ulrich, Jr

Donald J Harter

Ingmar Hartl

Mark P Bendett

Salvatore F Nati

Gyu Choen Cho

Wayne A Gillis

Gyu Cheon Cho

Xinhua Gu

Zhenlin Liu

Bruce Loughry

An electronic circuit for controlling a laser system consisting of a pulse source and high power fiber amplifier is disclosed. The circuit is used to control the gain of the high power fiber amplifier system so that the amplified output pulses have predetermined pulse energy as the pulse width and repetition rate of the oscillator are varied. This includes keeping the pulse energy constant when the pulse train is turned on. The circuitry is also used to control the temperature of the high power fiber amplifier pump diode such that the wavelength of the pump diode is held at the optimum absorption wavelength of the fiber amplifier as the diode current is varied. The circuitry also provides a means of protecting the high power fiber amplifier from damage due to a loss of signal from the pulse source or from a pulse-source signal of insufficient injection energy.

Method and apparatus for controlling and protecting pulsed high power fiber amplifier systems

A modular ultrafast pulse laser system is constructed of individually pre-tested components manufactured as modules. The individual modules include an oscillator, pre-amplifier and power amplifier stages, a non-linear amplifier, and a stretcher and compressor. The individual modules can typically be connected by means of simple fiber splices.

Modular fiber-based chirped pulse amplification system

A system for laser-ignition of explosives or the like includes a laser system coupled to an optical fiber for conducting light energy to a window positioned at an end of the fiber remote from the laser system. An explosive charge is contained within an initiator housing on a side of the window remote from the adjacent fiber end. A dichroic film is positioned at the window surface adjacent to the explosive charge, and is constructed to reflect light energy within one wavelength range and transmit light energy within another wavelength range. The laser system is controlled for selectively transmitting light energy at the one wavelength range to test continuity of the laser-fiber-initiator light path as a function of reflections from the dichroic film, and at the other wavelength range to ignite the explosive charge. In one embodiment of the invention, the dichroic film takes the form of a transparent disc having the film deposited thereon. The disc is of flexible resilient construction, and is sandwiched within the housing between the window surface and the explosive charge. In other embodiments of the invention, the film is formed as a coating on and integral with one of the window surfaces or on the fiber end.

Laser ignition of explosives

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Otho E Ulrich, Jr