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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Longitudinally laser pumped laser with compensation for thermal lens effects

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5630625
This patent describes a laser system. It comprises a resonant cavity; a gain medium having a longitudinal axis, the gain medium being located within the resonant cavity; a pump laser generating a beam of radiation for exciting the gain medium and creating a cavity beam; and focusing means for directing the beam of radiation from the pump laser into the gain medium along the longitudinal axis thereof, with the absorption of the pump beam radiation in the gain medium creating a thermal lens therein and with the focal power of the thermal lens being dependent upon the longitudinal position in the gain medium. The focusing means being configured to modify the shape of the pump beam to match the shape of the cavity beam within the gain medium, with the focusing means having a focal length, angle of incidence and location selected to take into account the varying thermal lens effects created along the longitudinal axis of the gain medium.
Assignee:
Coherent, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 5046070
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-527013
OSTI ID:
5630625
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English