Common pass decentered annular ring resonator

Patent · Tue Apr 30 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5207501

Holmes, D A; Waite, T R

An optical resonator having an annular cylindrical gain region for use in a chemical laser or the like in which two ring-shaped mirrors having substantially conical reflecting surfaces are spaced apart along a common axis of revolution of the respective conical surfaces. A central conical mirror reflects incident light directed along said axis radially outwardly to the reflecting surface of a first one of the ring-shaped mirrors. The radial light rays are reflected by the first ring mirror to the second ring mirror within an annular cylindrical volume concentric with said common axis and forming a gain region. Light rays impinging on the second ring mirror are reflected to diametrically opposite points on the same conical mirror surfaces and back to the first ring mirror through the same annular cylindrical volume. The return rays are then reflected by the conical mirror surface of the first ring mirror back to the central conical mirror. The mirror surfaces are angled such that the return rays are reflected back along the common axis by the central mirror in a concentric annular cylindrical volume. A scraper mirror having a central opening centered on said axis and an offset opening reflects all but the rays passing through the two openings in an output beam. The rays passing through the second opening are reflected back through the first opening to provide feedback.

• Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Patent Number(s): US 4514850
• OSTI ID: 5207501
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
AMPLIFICATION
BEAM OPTICS
CAVITY RESONATORS
CHEMICAL LASERS
DESIGN
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
GAIN
LASER CAVITIES
LASER MIRRORS
LASERS
MIRRORS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
RESONATORS