Laser having etalon assembly
An ion laser is described having an etalon incorporated therein so as to provide maximum mechanical and thermal stability of the etalon position, as well as enable the etalon to be tuned by temperature control without contamination of the laser optical cavity by the etalon heating element. The laser includes a resonator structure made up of a pair of reference plates positioned adjacent the ends of the laser optical cavity and maintained in a set, spaced-apart position and orientation by a plurality of resonator rods which are rigidly secured thereto and are made of a material having a low thermal coefficient of expansion. The reference plates are normally provided to facilitate obtaining the stable mounting of the laser optical reflectors relative to the optical cavity necessary for optimum lasing operation. The etalon mounting structure takes advantage of the structural stability of the positioning of the reference plates by being connected to one of them with a tuning bolt-leaf spring arrangement which assures that the stability inherent in the reference plate is transmitted to the mount for the etalon. The etalon is a solid etalon, and a heater oven for stabilizing and tuning the frequency mode selection thereof is mounted on the etalon mounting structure at the exterior of the optical cavity so as to not contaminate either the etalon transmission surfaces or the remainder of the optical cavity.
- Assignee:
- Lexel Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 3987373
- OSTI ID:
- 7232082
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 19 Mar 1975
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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