Spectra-Physics Gmbh

Spectra-Physics Laserplane, Inc.

Pliny S Hawthorn

Mark D Sobottke

Daniel R Klemer

Jamie N Lussier

An intracavity frequency-doubled solid-state laser uses a Nd:GdVO.sub.4 laser gain chip to generate a beam of visible laser light which may have wavelengths substantially in the green portion of the optical spectrum. A back end of the laser cavity is defined by an entrance mirror while a front end of the laser cavity is defined by a mirrored surface. A laser diode generates pump light which is transmitted through the entrance mirror into the laser gain chip. The laser gain chip, which may be immediately adjacent the entrance mirror, emits fundamental laser light having a wavelength of approximately 1063 nm in response to the pump light. A frequency doubler chip positioned immediately adjacent the laser gain chip doubles the frequency of the fundamental laser light to produce harmonic laser light having a wavelength of substantially 532 nm. In a second embodiment, the frequency doubler chip is immediately adjacent to the entrance mirror and the laser gain chip is immediately adjacent to the frequency doubler chip. The mirrored surface reflects a portion of the harmonic laser light back into the laser cavity and transmits a portion of the harmonic laser light from the laser.

Gadolinium vanadate laser

A compact, laser diode pumped, high efficiency, solid-state laser comprises an output coupler mirror forming a front end of a laser cavity. A back end of the laser cavity is formed by a rear mirror through which emissions from a laser diode pass for pumping a laser chip of stoichiometric lasing material. A frequency doubler chip is positioned immediately adjacent the laser chip to double the frequency of light generated by the laser chip and thereby halve its wavelength. The laser chip is bonded to the frequency doubler chip by coupling material having a refractive index matched to the chips to nearly eliminate reflections at the bonded chip surfaces. Such bonding increases the effective Q of the laser cavity which receives the bonded combination of the laser chip and the doubler chip at a beam waist defined within the laser cavity by means of beam shaping with the laser chip being positioned to receive pumping energy from a laser diode through the rear mirror of the laser cavity. Spiking or peaking of the output laser light is effected by gain switching, phase modulation or by imparting vibratory motion to the bonded combination of the laser chip and the frequency doubler chip.

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Vandalia, OH, United States of America

Pliny S Hawthorn