Slab laser amplification device

Abstract

The application relates to the field of lasers and provides a slab laser amplification device which comprises a gain medium, a pumping assembly and a seed light assembly; the gain medium has a central axis perpendicular to an X axis; the gain medium comprises a first window surface, a second window surface, a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface on a first side and a third window surface, a third reflecting surface and a fourth reflecting surface on a second side; the first window surface is used for allowing the seed light to enter the gain medium; the first reflecting surface, the second reflecting surface, the third reflecting surface and the fourth reflecting surface reflect the seed light in the gain medium; the amplified laser obtained by pumping the seed light in the gain medium by pumping light is emitted through the second window surface or the third window surface; the seed light emitted by the seed light assembly is parallel to an XY plane; the application uses the three-dimensional space in the gain medium to increase the optical path of the internal reflection of the seed light, improves the excitation and amplification efficiency of the seed light, does not need to use a cavity mirror, and has a compact structure and high stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser technology, and more particularly to a slab laser amplification device. Background Technology

[0002] High-power, high-beam-quality lasers have wide applications in industry, medicine, defense, scientific research and other fields. In order to obtain high-power lasers while maintaining excellent beam quality, solid-state laser amplifiers are commonly used, including slab amplifiers.

[0003] Existing slab amplifiers only utilize a two-dimensional plane within the gain medium to extend the optical path of the seed light, but the excitation amplification effect is limited. In addition, existing slab amplifiers often employ cavity mirror components, resulting in complex structures, low stability, and unfavorable engineering applications. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a slab laser amplification device to solve or improve the problems of limited excitation amplification effect, complex structure and poor stability of existing slab laser amplifiers.

[0005] This invention provides a slab laser amplification device, comprising: a gain medium, a pump assembly, and a seed light assembly; the gain medium has a central axis, which is arranged along the Y-axis and perpendicular to the X-axis; the gain medium has a first side and a second side opposite to the central axis along the X-axis, the gain medium including a first window surface, a second window surface, a first reflective surface, and a second reflective surface located on the first side, and a third window surface, a third reflective surface, and a fourth reflective surface located on the second side; the first window surface is used for the seed light emitted from the seed light assembly to enter the gain medium, the first reflective surface, the second reflective surface, the third reflective surface, and the fourth reflective surface are used to reflect the seed light in the gain medium, and the amplified laser obtained by pumping the seed light in the gain medium with the pump light emitted from the pump assembly is emitted through the second window surface or the third window surface; wherein, the plane containing the X-axis and the Y-axis is the XY plane, and the seed light emitted from the seed light assembly is parallel to the XY plane.

[0006] According to a slab laser amplification device provided by the present invention, a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface are arranged along the direction of the Z-axis, and the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are perpendicular to each other; a third reflecting surface and a fourth reflecting surface are arranged along the direction of the Z-axis, and the third reflecting surface and the fourth reflecting surface are perpendicular to each other; the first reflecting surface and the fourth reflecting surface are arranged in parallel opposite directions, and the second reflecting surface and the third reflecting surface are arranged in parallel opposite directions; wherein, the Z-axis is perpendicular to the XY plane.

[0007] According to the present invention, a slab laser amplification device is provided, wherein the gain medium includes a first block, a second block, and a third block; the central axis is located on the second block, and the first block and the third block are respectively disposed on both sides of the second block; the first window surface, the second window surface, and the third window surface are located on the second block, the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are located on the first block, and the third reflective surface and the fourth reflective surface are located on the third block.

[0008] According to the present invention, a slab laser amplification device is provided, wherein the first block, the second block, and the third block are an integral structure.

[0009] According to the present invention, a slab laser amplification device is provided in which gaps are provided between the first block and the second block, and between the third block and the second block.

[0010] According to the present invention, a slab laser amplification device is provided, wherein the gain medium has a first emission state and a second emission state. In the first emission state, the amplified laser obtained after the seed light is reflected 2(2n-1) times is emitted through the second window surface; in the second emission state, the amplified laser obtained after the seed light is reflected 4n-4 times is emitted through the third window surface; the angle between the seed light and the Y-axis is the angle of incidence, and in the first emission state compared to the second emission state, at least one of the angle of incidence and the length and width dimensions of the gain medium in the XY plane changes; wherein n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0011] According to the present invention, a slab laser amplification device is provided, wherein the first window surface, the second window surface and the third window surface are all coated with a first optical thin film, and the first optical thin film is used to transmit the seed light and the amplified laser.

[0012] According to a slab laser amplification device provided by the present invention, the first reflective surface, the second reflective surface, the third reflective surface and the fourth reflective surface are all coated with a second optical thin film, the second optical thin film being used to reflect seed light in the gain medium.

[0013] According to a slab laser amplification device provided by the present invention, a plurality of pumping components are provided, and the light-emitting side of the plurality of pumping components all faces the gain medium.

[0014] According to the present invention, a slab laser amplification device is provided, wherein the gain medium includes any one of crystal medium, glass medium and ceramic medium.

[0015] The slab laser amplification device provided by this invention, by reasonably setting the various reflective surfaces on the gain medium and the incident angle of the seed light, enables the seed light to achieve multiple reflections in three-dimensional space within the gain medium, thereby increasing the optical path of the seed light. At the same time, under the pump light, the excitation amplification effect of the seed light is improved. The amplified laser obtained thereby is emitted through the second window or the third window. Since the seed light can be amplified in three-dimensional space within the gain medium, there is no need for traditional mirror cavity components. The structure is compact, highly stable, and easy to engineer. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the slab laser amplification device provided by the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the projection structure of the slab laser amplification device in the XY plane;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the projection structure of the slab laser amplification device in the XZ plane;

[0020] Figure 4 This is the second schematic diagram of the slab laser amplification device provided by the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the projection structure of the slab laser amplification device in the XY plane;

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the projection structure of the slab laser amplification device in the XZ plane;

[0023] Figure 7 This is the third schematic diagram of the slab laser amplification device provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the projection structure of the slab laser amplification device in the XY plane;

[0025] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the projection structure of the slab laser amplification device in the XZ plane.

[0026] 1: Gain medium; 11: First window surface; 12: Second window surface; 13: First reflecting surface; 14: Second reflecting surface; 15: Third window surface; 16: Third reflecting surface; 17: Fourth reflecting surface;

[0027] 2: Pump assembly;

[0028] 3: Seed light component. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0030] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0031] The following is combined Figures 1 to 9 This invention describes a slab laser amplification device.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown in the figure, the slab laser amplification device shown in this embodiment includes: a gain medium 1, a pump component 2, and a seed light component 3.

[0033] Gain medium 1 has a central axis, which is arranged along the Y-axis and perpendicular to the X-axis. Gain medium 1 has a first side and a second side opposite to the central axis along the X-axis. Gain medium 1 includes a first window surface 11, a second window surface 12, a first reflective surface 13, and a second reflective surface 14 on the first side, and a third window surface 15, a third reflective surface 16, and a fourth reflective surface 17 on the second side. The first window surface 11 is used for the seed light emitted from the seed light assembly 3 to enter the gain medium 1. The first reflective surface 13, the second reflective surface 14, the third reflective surface 16, and the fourth reflective surface 17 are used to reflect the seed light in the gain medium 1. The amplified laser obtained by pumping the seed light in the gain medium 1 with the pump light emitted from the pump assembly 2 is emitted through the second window surface 12 or the third window surface 15. The plane containing the X-axis and Y-axis is the XY plane, and the seed light assembly emitted from the seed light assembly 3 is parallel to the XY plane.

[0034] Specifically, the slab amplification device shown in this embodiment, by reasonably setting the various reflective surfaces on the gain medium 1 and the incident angle of the seed light, enables the seed light to achieve multiple reflections in the three-dimensional space within the gain medium 1, thereby increasing the optical path of the seed light. At the same time, under the pump light, the excitation amplification effect of the seed light is improved. The amplified laser obtained thereby is emitted through the second window surface 12 or the third window surface 15. Since the seed light can achieve excitation amplification in the three-dimensional space within the gain medium 1, there is no need for traditional mirror cavity components. The structure is compact, highly stable, and easy to engineer.

[0035] It should be noted that, in Figures 1 to 9 In the diagram, dashed lines and arrows illustrate the light path of the seed light during reflection.

[0036] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, the incident angle of the seed light is the angle between the incident direction of the seed light and the Y-axis. If the incident angle is set to an acute angle, the seed light will propagate along the Y-axis while being reflected by the gain medium.

[0037] With a fixed length of gain medium 1 along the Y-axis, the closer the incident angle is to 90 degrees, the more times the seed light is reflected in gain medium 1, and the longer the optical path is accordingly. Thus, the optical path can be controlled by adjusting the incident angle. Similarly, with a fixed incident angle, the longer the length of gain medium 1 along the Y-axis, the more times the seed light is reflected in gain medium 1, and the longer the optical path is accordingly. Thus, the optical path can be increased by increasing the length of gain medium 1 along the Y-axis.

[0038] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 9As shown in the figure, the first reflective surface 13 and the second reflective surface 14 are arranged along the Z-axis, and the first reflective surface 13 and the second reflective surface 14 are perpendicular to each other; the third reflective surface 16 and the fourth reflective surface 17 are arranged along the Z-axis, and the third reflective surface 16 and the fourth reflective surface 17 are perpendicular to each other; the first reflective surface 13 and the fourth reflective surface 17 are arranged in parallel opposite directions, and the second reflective surface 14 and the third reflective surface 16 are arranged in parallel opposite directions; wherein, the Z-axis is perpendicular to the XY plane.

[0039] Specifically, the seed light is incident from the first window surface 11 on the first side, reflected by the third reflecting surface 16 and the fourth reflecting surface 17 on the second side, and then reflected by the first reflecting surface 13 and the second reflecting surface 14 on the first side. This process is repeated, meaning the seed light is reflected back and forth between the first and second sides while propagating along the Y-axis. This achieves reflection of the seed light in three-dimensional space, increasing the optical path length of the light path within the gain medium 1. Since the first reflecting surface 13 is perpendicular to the second reflecting surface 14, and the third reflecting surface 16 is perpendicular to the fourth reflecting surface 17, the projection of the optical path length of the seed light onto the XZ plane is a closed rectangle.

[0040] The XZ plane is the plane containing the X-axis and Z-axis.

[0041] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 9 As shown, the gain medium 1 in this embodiment includes a first block, a second block, and a third block; the central axis is located on the second block, and the first block and the third block are respectively located on both sides of the second block; the first window surface 11, the second window surface 12, and the third window surface 15 are located on the second block, the first reflective surface 13 and the second reflective surface 14 are located on the first block, the third reflective surface 16 and the fourth reflective surface 17 are located on the third block, and the first reflective surface 13 and the second reflective surface 14 are perpendicular. Accordingly, the first block is in the shape of a right-angled triangular prism, the third reflective surface 16 and the fourth reflective surface 17 are perpendicular, and the second block is in the shape of a cuboid.

[0042] Among them, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the first block, the second block, and the third block can be a single integrated structure, meaning that gain medium 1 is a single dielectric medium; as shown... Figures 4 to 9 As shown, the first, second, and third blocks can also be a split structure to facilitate industrial cutting, reduce the difficulty of industrial processing, and thus improve precision. In the case of a split structure, the first, second, and third blocks are cut and placed separately, with gaps between the first and second blocks, and between the third and second blocks.

[0043] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 9As shown, the gain medium 1 in this embodiment has a first emission state and a second emission state. In the first emission state, the amplified laser obtained after the seed light is reflected 2 (2n-1) times is emitted through the second window 12. In the second emission state, the amplified laser obtained after the seed light is reflected 4n-4 times is emitted through the third window 15. Figures 7 to 9 This indicates the first launch position. Figures 1 to 6 The second exit state is illustrated; the angle between the seed light and the Y-axis is the incident angle. Compared with the second exit state, at least one of the incident angle and the length of the gain medium 1 along the X-axis and Y-axis directions changes in the first exit state; where n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0044] Specifically, as described above, the optical path can be changed by altering the incident angle or the length of the gain medium 1 along the Y-axis. Furthermore, by changing at least one of these three factors, the spatial emission direction of the amplified laser can be altered, controlling its emission from the second window 12 or the third window 15. When the amplified laser is emitted from the same side as the seed light, this is the first emission state, where the seed light is reflected 2(2n-1) times within the gain medium 1. The number of reflections can be 2, 6, 10, or 14 times, etc. When the amplified laser is emitted from the opposite side of the seed light, this is the second emission state, where the seed light is reflected 4n-4 times within the gain medium 1. The number of reflections can be 0, 4, 8, or 12 times, etc. The spatial emission direction of the amplified laser can be designed according to actual needs.

[0045] In the first emission state, the incident seed light and the emitted amplified laser are not in the same XY plane; in the second emission state, the incident seed light and the emitted amplified laser are in the same XY plane.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first window surface 11, the second window surface 12 and the third window surface 15 shown in this embodiment are all coated with a first optical thin film, which is used to transmit seed light and amplify laser light.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first reflecting surface 13, the second reflecting surface 14, the third reflecting surface 16, and the fourth reflecting surface 17 shown in this embodiment are all coated with a second optical thin film. The second optical thin film is used to reflect the seed light in the gain medium 1 so that the seed light can be reflected back and forth in the gain medium 1. In addition, when the first reflecting surface 13, the second reflecting surface 14, the third reflecting surface 16, and the fourth reflecting surface 17 undergo total internal reflection, no coating is required.

[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 9As shown in the figure, the pump assembly 2 shown in this embodiment is provided in multiple ways. The light-emitting side of the multiple pump assemblies 2 all faces the gain medium. That is, the pump assembly 2 can be arranged anywhere around the gain medium 1, as long as the emitted pump light can be incident into the gain medium 1.

[0049] In some embodiments, the gain medium 1 can be any one of a crystal medium, a glass medium, and a ceramic medium; the seed light component 3 and the pump component 2 can be an all-solid-state laser, a gas laser, a continuous laser, or a pulsed laser, and the seed light emitted by the seed light component 3 and the pump light emitted by the pump component 2 are linearly polarized light, circularly polarized light, or elliptically polarized light.

[0050] In some embodiments, the slab laser amplification device shown in this embodiment further includes a cooling mechanism for cooling the gain medium 1.

[0051] Specifically, when the seed light is reflected in the gain medium 1, it absorbs the pump light and generates heat, causing the temperature of the gain medium 1 to rise. The gain medium 1 is cooled by a cooling mechanism to ensure the temperature stability of the gain medium 1. The cooling mechanism can be a water cooler, a semiconductor cooler, or a wind cooler.

[0052] In one specific embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the seed light is incident through the first window surface 11 and is amplified by the pumping component 2. The seed light in the gain medium 1 is transmitted in the Y-axis direction in the XY plane under the joint reflection of the first reflecting surface 13, the second reflecting surface 14, the third reflecting surface 16 and the fourth reflecting surface 17. At the same time, a rectangular optical path is formed in the XZ plane, which increases the optical path of the amplified optical path in the gain medium 1. Finally, the amplified laser is output from the third window surface 15, which is the second output state.

[0053] Among them, the gain medium 1 is a single piece of Nd:YAG crystal, and all the above window surfaces and all the reflective surfaces are cut from the same piece of Nd:YAG crystal. Seed light component 3 is used to emit 1064nm seed light, and pump component 2 is used to emit 808nm pump light. The seed light is continuously amplified under the excitation of the pump light to form amplified laser. Finally, the output 1064nm amplified laser and the incident seed light are in the same XY plane.

[0054] In one specific embodiment, such as Figures 4 to 6As shown, the seed light is incident through the first window surface 11 and is amplified by the pumping component 2. The seed light in the gain medium 1 is transmitted in the Y-axis direction in the XY plane under the joint reflection of the first reflecting surface 13, the second reflecting surface 14, the third reflecting surface 16 and the fourth reflecting surface 17. At the same time, a rectangular optical path is formed in the XZ plane, which increases the optical path of the amplified optical path in the gain medium 1. Finally, the amplified laser is output from the third window surface 15, which is the second output state.

[0055] The gain medium 1 consists of three discrete Nd:YAG crystals, namely the first, second, and third blocks. The three crystals are cut and placed separately, which does not affect the laser amplification efficiency while reducing the difficulty of crystal cutting and coating. The seed light component 3 is used to emit 1319nm seed light, and the pump component 2 is used to emit 808nm pump light. The seed light is continuously amplified under the excitation of the pump light to form amplified laser. The final output 1319nm amplified laser is in the same XY plane as the incident seed light.

[0056] In one specific embodiment, such as Figures 7 to 9 As shown, the seed light is incident through the first window surface 11 and is amplified by the pumping component 2. The seed light in the gain medium 1 is transmitted in the Y-axis direction in the XY plane under the joint reflection of the first reflecting surface 13, the second reflecting surface 14, the third reflecting surface 16 and the fourth reflecting surface 17. At the same time, a rectangular optical path is formed in the XZ plane, which increases the optical path of the amplified optical path in the gain medium 1. Finally, the amplified laser is output from the second window surface 12, which is the first output state.

[0057] The gain medium 1 consists of three discrete Er:YAG crystals, namely the first, second, and third blocks. The three crystals are cut and placed separately, which does not affect the laser amplification efficiency while reducing the difficulty of crystal cutting and coating. The seed light component 3 is used to emit 1617nm seed light, and the pump component 2 is used to emit 960nm pump light. The seed light is continuously amplified under the excitation of the pump light to form amplified laser. The final output 1617nm amplified laser is not in the same XY plane as the incident seed light.

[0058] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A slab laser amplification device, characterized in that, include: Gain medium, pump assembly, and seed light assembly; The gain medium has a central axis, which is arranged along the Y-axis and perpendicular to the X-axis. The gain medium has a first side and a second side that are opposite to the central axis along the X-axis. The gain medium includes a first window surface, a second window surface, a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface located on the first side, and a third window surface, a third reflective surface and a fourth reflective surface located on the second side. The first window surface is used to allow the seed light emitted from the seed light component to enter the gain medium. The first reflective surface, the second reflective surface, the third reflective surface and the fourth reflective surface are used to reflect the seed light in the gain medium. The amplified laser obtained by pumping the seed light in the gain medium after being pumped by the pump light emitted from the pump component is emitted through the second window surface or the third window surface. The plane containing the X-axis and the Y-axis is called the XY plane, and the seed light emitted by the seed light component is parallel to the XY plane. The first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are arranged along the Z-axis, and the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are perpendicular to each other; the third reflective surface and the fourth reflective surface are arranged along the Z-axis, and the third reflective surface and the fourth reflective surface are perpendicular to each other. The first reflective surface and the fourth reflective surface are arranged parallel to each other, and the second reflective surface and the third reflective surface are arranged parallel to each other. Wherein, the Z-axis is perpendicular to the XY plane; The gain medium has a first emission state and a second emission state. In the first emission state, the amplified laser obtained after the seed light is reflected 2(2n-1) times is emitted through the second window surface. In the second emission state, the amplified laser obtained after the seed light is reflected 4n-4 times is emitted through the third window surface. The angle between the seed light and the Y-axis is the incident angle. Compared with the second exit state, at least one of the incident angle and the length and width of the gain medium in the XY plane changes in the first exit state. Where n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

2. The slab laser amplification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gain medium includes a first block, a second block, and a third block; The central axis is located on the second block, and the first block and the third block are located on opposite sides of the second block; the first window surface, the second window surface and the third window surface are located on the second block, the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are located on the first block, and the third reflective surface and the fourth reflective surface are located on the third block.

3. The slab laser amplification device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first block, the second block, and the third block are an integral structure.

4. The slab laser amplification device according to claim 2, characterized in that, There are gaps between the first block and the second block, and between the third block and the second block.

5. The slab laser amplification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first window surface, the second window surface, and the third window surface are all coated with a first optical thin film, which is used to transmit the seed light and the amplified laser.

6. The slab laser amplification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first reflective surface, the second reflective surface, the third reflective surface, and the fourth reflective surface are all coated with a second optical thin film, which is used to reflect the seed light in the gain medium.

7. The slab laser amplification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pump assembly is provided in multiple ways, and the light-emitting side of each of the multiple pump assemblies faces the gain medium.

8. The slab laser amplification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gain medium includes any one of crystal medium, glass medium, and ceramic medium.

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