A transformer-driven electro-optic Q-switching arrangement reduces the high-voltage switching requirements with greatly simplified circuitry. Lasing efficiency is not significantly reduced even when the transformer rise time is twice as long as the laser pulse build-up time.
The present invention provides a jitter stable electro-optical modulator for modulating a high power, repetitively pulsed laser having an optical risetime (10% to 90%) of the order of nanoseconds. The electro-optical modulator includes a birefringent electro-optical device; a hydrogen thyratron operated at a preselected high pressure and having an "ON" and an "OFF" state; first means responsive to the "ON" state of the thyratron for impressing a first preselected voltage across the birefringent electro-optical device; second means responsive to the "OFF" state of the hydrogen thyratron for impressing a second preselected voltage across the electro-optical modulator at a time coincident with the laser buildup interval; and means for repetitively driving the hydrogen thyratron into the "ON" and the "OFF" states repetitively at a preselected repetition rate. The selectively pressurized hydrogen thyratron is placed within a close-fitting vented copper housing and is electrically connected across the electrodes of the birefringent device by an impedance matching network and a coaxial cable.
Laser apparatus with an electro-optic Q-switch assembly comprises a lasing medium which produces an unpolarized light beam when pumped, a polarizing beam splitter dividing the unpolarized beam into two orthogonally polarized parallel sub-beams, and a totally reflecting turning element which returns each sub-beam to the beam splitter along the path of the other sub-beam. A Q-switch is located in the path of one of the sub-beams. When the Q-switch is energized, the reflected polarization-shifted sub-beams are recombined at the splitter and pass through the lasing medium and adjacent partially-reflecting element as the output. When the Q-switch is deenergized, the sub-beams are dumped at the splitter which prevents the laser from oscillating.
A laser system including a controller for monitoring and controlling various functions of a laser assembly. The laser controller may include a wavelength tuning circuit for adjusting and locking the wavelength of the external cavity. To perform various monitoring and control functions, the controller may include circuitry for monitoring various parameters associated with operation of the laser, such as temperature indicating signals and/or signals from light detectors such as photodiodes.
A laser system including a controller for monitoring and controlling various functions of a laser assembly. The laser controller may include a wavelength tuning circuit for adjusting and locking the wavelength of the external cavity. To perform various monitoring and control functions, the controller may include circuitry for monitoring various parameters associated with operation of the laser, such as temperature indicating signals and/or signals from light detectors such as photodiodes.
A laser system including a controller for monitoring and controlling various functions of a laser assembly. The laser controller may include a wavelength tuning circuit for adjusting and locking the wavelength of the external cavity. To perform various monitoring and control functions, the controller may include circuitry for monitoring various parameters associated with operation of the laser, such as temperature indicating signals and/or signals from light detectors such as photodiodes.
