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Parasitic oscillation suppression in solid state lasers using absorbing thin films

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7082338
A thin absorbing film is bonded onto at least certain surfaces of a solid state laser gain medium. An absorbing metal-dielectric multilayer film is optimized for a broad range of incidence angles, and is resistant to the corrosive/erosive effects of a coolant such as water, used in the forced convection cooling of the film. Parasitic oscillations hamper the operation of solid state lasers by causing the decay of stored energy to amplified rays trapped within the gain medium by total and partial internal reflections off the gain medium facets. Zigzag lasers intended for high average power operation require the ASE absorber. 16 figs.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5335237; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-968111
OSTI ID:
7082338
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English