Optical noise reduction circuitry for laser systems

Abstract

A servo controlled laser system is provided which provides a laser output beam having reduced optical noise. The laser system may be any type of laser system and preferably is an ion laser system. The servo controlled laser system includes a laser head providing a laser output beam and a power driver coupled to the laser head which supplies input power to the laser head. The laser system also includes a light detector in the path of the output beam which generates an alternating current signal in response to the amount of optical noise detected in the laser output beam. A signal amplifier is coupled to the light detector for receiving and amplifying the alternating current signal. A wire couples the signal amplifier to power driver compensator circuitry which receives the amplified alternating current signal from the wire and, in response, adjusts the input power to reduce optical noise. In instances where a length of the wire is positioned sufficiently near an electrically noisy environment such that the electrically noisy environment modifies the amplified alternating current signal, the significance of the modification to the amplified alternating current signal is reduced by amplifying the alternating current signal prior to exposing the alternating current signal to the electrically noisy environment, thereby enabling a significant reduction in the optical noise present in the laser output beam. A method for producing a laser output beam having reduced optical noise is also provided using the servo controlled laser system.