Title: Method and apparatus for generating high power laser pulses in the two to six micron wavelength range

Abstract

Apparatus performs a method of generating one or more output laser pulses in a range of 2 to 6 microns. When a plurality of the output laser pulses are generated, a first output pulse has any selected wavelength within the range and a second output pulse is temporally closely spaced relative to the first output pulse and has a chosen wavelength differing from the selected wavelength. An oscillator laser cavity is provided with a tunable oscillator rod capable of generating initial laser pulses within a range of from 750 to 1000 nm, and a tuning element is coupled to the rod. A flashlamp is operable to pump the rod. For two pulse operation, the flashlamp has a given duration. A Q-switch provides the initial laser pulses upon operation of the tuning element and the flashlamp. A Raman device coupled to the rod shifts the wavelength of such initial laser pulse into the range of from 2 to 6 microns to form the output laser pulse having a wavelength within the range. For multiple pulses, a controller causes the Q-switch to provide first and second ones of the initial laser pulses, spaced by a time interval less than the given duration.more » Also, a selector coupled to the tuning element is operable within such duration to successively select the wavelength of the first output pulse and the chosen wavelength of the second initial pulse. The Raman device is responsive to each of the initial light pulses to generate radiation at first and second Stokes wavelengths, each of said the output laser pulses being radiation at the second Stokes wavelength. « less

Inventors:

MacPherson, David C ^[1]; Nelson, Loren D ^[2]; O'Brien, Martin J ^[3]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Conifer, CO
2. Evergreen, CO
3. Bailey, CO

Issue Date:

1996-01-01

Research Org.:

OPHIR Corp., Littleton, CO (United States)

OSTI Identifier:

870738

Patent Number(s):

5583877

Assignee:

Ophir Corporation (Littleton, CO)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01S - DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT

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H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01S - DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT

H01S3/305 - {in a gas}

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG03-92ER81318

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

method; apparatus; generating; power; laser; pulses; six; micron; wavelength; range; performs; output; microns; plurality; generated; pulse; selected; temporally; closely; spaced; relative; chosen; differing; oscillator; cavity; provided; tunable; rod; capable; initial; 750; 1000; nm; tuning; element; coupled; flashlamp; operable; pump; operation; duration; q-switch; provides; raman; device; shifts; form; multiple; controller; causes; provide; ones; time; interval; selector; successively; select; responsive; light; generate; radiation; stokes; wavelengths; device coupled; tuning element; wavelength range; output laser; selected wavelength; laser pulses; laser cavity; light pulses; output pulse; laser pulse; closely spaced; power laser; time interval; light pulse; micron wavelength; stokes wave; selected wave; chosen wavelength; rod cap; /372/