Readout for a ring laser

Patent · Tue Apr 15 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5720389

Callaghan, S P

A readout apparatus is described for a ring laser wherein a laser gain medium in combination with wave reflecting means which are positioned to form an optical closed-loop path provides at least two counter-propagating waves traveling about the closed-loop path. The readout apparatus consists of: one of the wave reflecting means being partially transmissive and capable of transmitting a first wave which is a portion of one of the counter-propagating waves impinging thereon, and a second wave which is a portion of the other one of the counter-propagating waves also impinging thereon; a first mechanically and thermally stable block for providing a medium for transmission of optical waves, the first block having, a first surface in the path of the first wave for producing a first in-block wave within the block, the first in-block wave being at least a portion of the first wave impinging on the first surface; a second surface optically coated to provide a first beam splitter, the first beam splitter being in the path of the first in-block wave such that the angle of incidence thereon is less than 45 degrees, the first beam splitter splitting the first in-block wave into a third wave and a fourth wave, the third and fourth waves being a transmitted portion and a reflected portion, respectively, of the first in-block wave, a third surface optically coated for providing a second beam splitter having first and second sides, the first beam splitter being positioned in the path of the first in-block wave so as to direct the fourth wave to impinge on the first side of the second beam splitter, and a fourth surface for transmitting waves therethrough.

• Assignee: Honeywell, Minneapolis, MN
• Patent Number(s): US 4582429
• OSTI ID: 5720389
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
AMPLIFICATION
BEAM SPLITTING
COATINGS
EQUILIBRIUM
GAIN
INCIDENCE ANGLE
LASERS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
POSITIONING
READOUT SYSTEMS
REFLECTION
RING LASERS
SPACE DEPENDENCE
STABILITY
THERMAL EQUILIBRIUM
WAVE PROPAGATION
WAVEGUIDES