Coherent, Inc.

Cyonics, Ltd.

William P Kolb

Benjamin H Cook, Jr

Wayne S Mefferd

Dale E Crane

Gerald C Barker

Benjamin Cook

Marco Arrigoni

Joseph Fraizer

A laser system is disclosed which is capable of selectively generating radiation at two competing wavelength regions. A gas discharge tube is provided which includes krypton as the lasing medium. A primary mirror is mounted at one of the tube. A switchable mirror assembly is mounted at the other end of the tube. The mirror assembly includes a frame. A cradle is pivotally mounted in the frame and is rotatable between two angular positions. A pair of mirrors are mounted to the cradle in a manner such for each of the two angular positions of the cradle, one of the two mirrors is in optical alignment with discharge tube. Each of the mirrors is provided with a wavelength selective coating which permits operation of the laser at different wavelengths. In the preferred embodiment used for ophthalmic applications, the laser can selectively generate red light or light in the yellow/green regime.

Laser system selectively operable at two competing wavelengths

A sealed laser plasma tube for use in a gas laser system. A Brewster window seals one end of the tube (the cathode end, in a preferred embodiment), and an end mirror which seals the opposite tube end (the anode end, in a preferred embodiment). In a laser system embodying the invention, a second end mirror is positioned adjacent to, but spaced from, the Brewster window. Intra-cavity elements may conveniently be inserted and replaced in the region between the sealed Brewster window and the second end mirror. The sealed mirror which seals the tube end opposite the window is preferably coated with at least an outermost layer of Hafnium oxide, to protect it from hard UV radiation originating within the plasma tube. The inventors have recognized that the problem of sealed window degradation is substantially less severe at the cathode end of an ion laser plasma tube, and that the sealed window should be attached at the tube end at which the window degradation problem is less severe.

Laser plasma tube having a window sealed end and a mirror sealed end

A gas laser includes a housing containing a lasing gas. Means are provided for electrically exciting the gas including a cathode mounted at one end of the housing and an anode mounted at the other end. The temperature of the anode is monitored and a control signal is generated which is indicative of the temperature that is measured. An automatic gas supply apparatus is activated to vary the gas pressure in the housing in response to the control signal. Additionally, the temperature that is measured may be normalized to counteract the effects of the ambient temperature of the anode.

Pressure regulation system for gas laser based on temperature of anode

An improved laser mirror (22) is disclosed with wavelength selective coatings on the inner and outer surfaces (32) and (34) thereof. The coating on the inner surface (32) is reflective of light in a first wavelength region (36) and transmissive of light in a second wavelength region (38). The outer surface (34) is reflective of light in the second wavelength region ( 38). In the preferred embodiment, one of the surfaces of the mirror is planar and the other is curved to facilitate alignment. The different curvatures of the inner and outer surfaces allows the diameter of the beam of the two wavelength regions to be independently controlled allowing optimization of the mode generated by the laser (20).

Laser resonator mirror with wavelength selective coatings on two surfaces

A thermal structure and cooling system for an argon-ion laser that is virtually free of thermal asymmetries includes a laser cathode having a housing constructed of a material of high thermal conductivity and relatively low thermal expansion in conjunction with a cooling structure configuration which readily and uniformly dissipates heat. In a specific embodiment the support structure is fabricated of copper material of at least a minimal thickness and the cooling fins are disposed in one and two stages of radial fins at specified regions along the support structure forming the discharge tube and enclosed by a tubular thermally conductive band.

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

William P Kolb