Grating tuned unstable resonator laser cavity

Patent · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:864425

Johnson, Larry C ^[1]

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1. Princeton, NJ

An unstable resonator to be used in high power, narrow line CO.sub.2 pump lasers comprises an array of four reflectors in a ring configuration wherein spherical and planar wavefronts are separated from each other along separate optical paths and only the planar wavefronts are impinged on a plane grating for line tuning. The reflector array comprises a concave mirror for reflecting incident spherical waves as plane waves along an output axis to form an output beam. A plane grating on the output axis is oriented to reflect a portion of the output beam off axis onto a planar relay mirror spaced apart from the output axis in proximity to the concave mirror. The relay mirror reflects plane waves from the grating to impinge on a convex expanding mirror spaced apart from the output axis in proximity to the grating. The expanding mirror reflects the incident planar waves as spherical waves to illuminate the concave mirror. Tuning is provided by rotating the plane grating about an axis normal to the output axis.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-02-3073
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4361889
• OSTI ID: 864425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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