Conductively cooled flashlamp

Abstract

An improved laser cooling system for high repetition rate lasers in which a flashlamp is cooled by conducting the heat generated in the lamp directly to a holder which is a solid thermal conductor formed by the structure of the pump cavity and in turn to a heat sink without using flowing gas or liquid in the cavity or space surrounding the flashlamp. The flashlamp is fixedly mounted on the holder with a gap or space therebetween. A thin layer of barium sulfate powder or any other suitable material (which can physically conform to the outside surface of the flashlamp envelope while providing adequate thermal conductivity between the flashlamp and the holder, and adequate optical reflectivity) is then packed in the gap between the flashlamp envelope and the holder in order to reflect light efficiently and to provide a good thermal contact between the holder and the flashlamp. Using the powder in this fashion tolerates any irregularities in standard flashlamp surfaces and housing surfaces that are caused in their production and so allows use of any suitable flashlamp and housing. This flashlamp cooling system is more compact and cheaper to make than existing systems, and allows easier replacement of the flashlamp.