Title: Relay telescope for high power laser alignment system

Abstract

A laser system includes an optical path having an intracavity relay telescope with a telescope focal point for imaging an output of the gain medium between an image location at or near the gain medium and an image location at or near an output coupler for the laser system. A kinematic mount is provided within a vacuum chamber, and adapted to secure beam baffles near the telescope focal point. An access port on the vacuum chamber is adapted for allowing insertion and removal of the beam baffles. A first baffle formed using an alignment pinhole aperture is used during alignment of the laser system. A second tapered baffle replaces the alignment aperture during operation and acts as a far-field baffle in which off angle beams strike the baffle a grazing angle of incidence, reducing fluence levels at the impact areas.

Inventors:

Dane, C. Brent; Hackel, Lloyd; Harris, Fritz B.

Issue Date:

Tue Sep 19 00:00:00 EDT 2006

Research Org.:

Metal Improvement Company, LLC, Paramus, NJ (United States); Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1175916

Patent Number(s):

7110174

Application Number:

11/271,197

Assignee:

Metal Improvement Company, LLC (Paramus, NJ); The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy (Washington, DC)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B23 - MACHINE TOOLS B23K - SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING

C - CHEMISTRY C21 - METALLURGY OF IRON C21D - MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B23 - MACHINE TOOLS B23K - SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING

B23K26/032 - {using optical means}
B23K26/064 - by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms
B23K26/0648 - {comprising lenses}
B23K26/0665 - {by beam condensation on the workpiece, e.g. for focusing}
B23K26/356 - by shock processing

C - CHEMISTRY C21 - METALLURGY OF IRON C21D - MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS

C21D10/005 - {by laser shock processing}

G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02B - OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS

G02B5/005 - {Diaphragms
G02B7/003 - {Alignment of optical elements

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01S - DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT

H01S3/005 - {Optical devices external to the laser cavity, specially adapted for lasers, e.g. for homogenisation of the beam or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping
H01S3/025 - {of solid state lasers, e.g. housings or mountings}
H01S3/10076 - {using optical phase conjugation, e.g. phase conjugate reflection}
H01S3/2333 - {Double-pass amplifiers}
H01S3/305 - {in a gas}

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DOE Contract Number:  

W-7405-ENG-48

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2005 Nov 10

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION