Scientific Materials Corporation

Steven C Seitel

Randy W Equall

Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide monoblock lasers that may provide improved performance and/or reduce manufacturing costs. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a monoblock laser includes a gain block to generate the light at the first wavelength and a Q switch to receive and polarize the light from the gain block and provide pulsed light that is polarized and at the first wavelength, with the monoblock laser configured in an internal OPO configuration. The monoblock laser may include a film between the gain block and a common substrate and/or include various techniques for aligning various optical elements within the monoblock laser.

Monoblock laser systems and methods

A laser resonator has a support disposed on its axis, to support an adjustable element rotatable with respect to the axis. An HR mirror reflects light, which passes through gain element means and partially through an OC mirror to provide a laser output. The adjustable element is fixed in rotation upon reaching a pre-selected laser output. One embodiment features a support comprising a recess in the substrate of the resonator, and one of the mirrors is formed on the spherically shaped bottom of the adjustable element. Alternatively, the adjustable element comprises a first Risley wedge pair rotatable within a V-block shaped support. Alternatively, a recess in the substrate supports the HR mirror and a Risley wedge pair. Both embodiments and their variations apply to two stage resonators, which then include a second support, appropriately placed wavelength shifting means and other optional optical elements.

Monoblock laser with improved alignment features

In an internal OPO, a substrate comprising a thin film lies along an axis and a first mirror reflects first wavelength light. A gain medium lases and polarizes light entering therein and a Q-switch attenuates and transmits first wavelength light. An HR/HT mirror passes first wavelength light and reflects a second wavelength light, and an OPO rod converts a portion of the first wavelength light into second wavelength light. An output coupler (OC) reflects first wavelength light and passes a portion of second wavelength light, the first wavelength reflecting between the first mirror, the OC and through the gain medium and the Q-switch. The second wavelength light reflects between the HR/HT mirror and OC and through the OPO rod. The invention applies to external OPO as well. The thin film reflects the light towards the gain medium, permitting a lower power lightsource and increasing the efficiency of the gain medium.

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Bozeman, MT, United States of America

Steven C Seitel