Mechanical beam isolator for high-power laser systems

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871695

Post, Richard F ^[1]; Vann, Charles S ^[2]

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1. Walnut Creek, CA
2. Fremont, CA

A mechanical beam isolator uses rod-shaped elements having a Gaussian configuration to interrupt the path of a beam of photons or particles when the time-scale of the needed interruption is of the order of a microsecond or less. One or more of these rods is mounted transversely to, and penetrates through, a rotating shaft supported by bearings. Owing to the Gaussian geometry of the rods, they are able to withstand much higher rotation speeds, without tensile failure, than rods having any other geometrical shape.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5777775
• OSTI ID: 871695
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

mechanical
beam
isolator
high-power
laser
systems
rod-shaped
elements
gaussian
configuration
interrupt
path
photons
particles
time-scale
interruption
microsecond
rods
mounted
transversely
penetrates
rotating
shaft
supported
bearings
geometry
withstand
rotation
speeds
tensile
failure
geometrical
shape
high-power laser
power laser
rotating shaft
laser systems
mechanical beam
geometrical shape
beam isolator
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