Semi-monolithic ring laser cavity

Abstract

The utility model discloses a half integral structure annular laser resonator relates to laser resonator field, including first way we prism, right angle prism, second way we prism, half wave plate and magnetooptical medium, first way we prism is made of laser medium material, and the left right angle face is plated with optical thin film, optical thin film is used to realize input beam full incidence and output beam partial emission with right angle prism combination. The utility model discloses a half integral structure annular laser resonator, through the cooperation of first way we prism and second way we prism, forms the rectangular annular cavity of half integral structure, has kept the flexible adjustment characteristic of separate component cavity type, and the relative position of two prisms can be adjusted as required, and the adjustment difficulty of input beam and output beam is equivalent to separate component cavity, and with the big misadjustment margin advantage of way we prism, the stability of resonator is improved greatly, and the defect that the stability of existing separate component cavity is weak, single piece integral type structure adjustment is difficult is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser resonators, and particularly to a semi-integral ring laser resonator. Background Technology

[0002] Single-frequency lasers possess outstanding characteristics such as narrow linewidth, long coherence length, stable performance, low noise, and excellent tuning performance, making them irreplaceable in various fields including ultra-high precision measurement, quantum optics and applications, laser cooling, optical frequency standards, optical communication, and optical holography. Currently, an effective technical solution for achieving single-frequency operation of lasers is the ring cavity mode selection method based on all-solid-state lasers, i.e., ring cavity single-frequency lasers. The mainstream ring cavity single-frequency laser structures are mainly divided into two categories: one is the discrete component cavity type, which consists of multiple independent cavity mirrors forming a rectangular ring cavity. The laser medium is separated from each cavity mirror, and single-frequency selection is achieved using an optical one-way device composed of a half-wave plate and a magneto-optical medium. At least one cavity mirror is a curved mirror to complete transverse mode selection. The other is a monolithic integrated structure, where the laser medium is processed into a polyhedron, and its optical surface also functions as a cavity mirror. Integrating the laser medium and cavity mirror into one unit, a spatial three-dimensional optical path is formed through reflection from the optical surface, possessing both natural optical rotation and magneto-optical rotation functions. One of the optical surfaces is curved for transverse mode selection. In addition, some studies have attempted to introduce off-axis parabolic mirrors into discrete component cavities, or prisms with 180-degree retroreflection capabilities into resonant cavities, in order to optimize resonant cavity performance.

[0003] Although existing ring cavity single-frequency lasers have found some applications, they still suffer from several insurmountable drawbacks: For discrete component cavities, while they offer flexible adjustment and can achieve high-power operation, their stability is relatively weak, their size is large, which is not conducive to the integrated design of optical components, and even with the introduction of off-axis parabolic mirrors, the improvement in output power stability is not significant; for monolithic integrated structures, although they have the advantages of good stability and small size, their output power is low, the directions of the input and output beams are fixed at a special angle, making actual adjustment difficult, and astigmatism exists. In addition, their manufacturing process requires special optical precision processing, which is difficult and extremely costly; and existing designs that only introduce prisms only utilize the retroreflection function of the prisms, failing to solve the problems of large resonant cavity size, lack of transverse mode selection function, lack of mode self-reproduction stability, and difficulty in input and output adjustment, and thus cannot simultaneously achieve core performance indicators such as output power, stability, size, and adjustment flexibility. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this invention is to provide a semi-integral ring laser resonator, which can effectively solve the technical problems in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] A semi-integral ring laser resonator includes a first Vickers prism, a right-angle prism, a second Vickers prism, a half-wave plate, and a magneto-optical medium. The first Vickers prism is made of laser medium material, and its left right-angle face is coated with an optical thin film. The optical thin film is optically bonded to the inclined surface of the right-angle prism to achieve full incident incidence of the input beam and partial exit of the output beam. The right-angle face of the first Vickers prism is a standard optical surface. The right-angle prism is made of ordinary optical glass, and its dimensions match those of the first Vickers prism. The inclined surface of the right-angle prism is aligned with the optical medium. The first prism is made of ordinary optical glass and has the same dimensions as the first prism, and is positioned correspondingly to the first prism. The left and right right-angled surfaces of the first prism and the two right-angled surfaces of the second prism together form a rectangular annular cavity. The magneto-optical medium is processed into a plano-convex thick lens structure to achieve transverse mode selection and resonant cavity mode self-reproduction stability, and to eliminate astigmatism. The half-wave plate and the magneto-optical medium form an optical one-way device to achieve single-frequency selection.

[0007] As a further embodiment of this invention, the optical thin film is an anti-reflective composite film, which is optically bonded to the inclined surface of the right-angle prism to ensure full incidence of the input beam and partial emission of the output beam.

[0008] As a further embodiment of this invention, the right-angled surfaces of both the first and second Wayne prisms meet the perpendicularity and flatness requirements of standard optical surfaces.

[0009] As a further embodiment of this invention, the inclined surface of the right-angle prism and the adhesive surface of the optical thin film meet the parallelism requirements, and the adhesive surface has no obvious bubble defects.

[0010] As a further embodiment of this invention, the radius of curvature of the convex surface of the plano-convex thick lens is set according to the transverse mode selection requirements of the resonant cavity.

[0011] As a further embodiment of this invention, the laser medium material of the first Daowei prism is an all-solid-state laser medium.

[0012] As a further embodiment of this invention, the ordinary optical glass is a standard optical glass material.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0014] 1. By combining the first and second prisms, a rectangular annular cavity with a semi-integral structure is formed. This retains the flexible adjustment characteristics of discrete component cavities, allowing the relative positions of the two prisms to be adjusted as needed. The adjustment difficulty of the input and output beams is comparable to that of discrete component cavities. Furthermore, by leveraging the large misalignment tolerance of the prisms, the stability of the resonant cavity is significantly improved, solving the defects of weak stability and difficult adjustment of monolithic integrated structures in existing discrete component cavities.

[0015] 2. This utility model processes the magneto-optical medium into a plano-convex thick lens structure, which not only realizes the transverse mode selection function, but also ensures the self-reproduction stability of the resonant cavity mode. At the same time, it effectively eliminates the astigmatism problem and overcomes the shortcomings of the monolithic integrated structure, the lack of transverse mode selection and mode self-reproduction stability of the traditional prism resonant cavity.

[0016] 3. The semi-integrated structure design of this utility model significantly reduces the volume of the resonant cavity, achieving a miniaturization level comparable to that of a monolithic integrated structure. Moreover, the structure is simple and compact, which is conducive to the integrated application of optical devices and solves the problems of large cavity volume and high integration difficulty of discrete components.

[0017] 4. The first prism in this utility model is made of standard laser medium material, while the second prism and the right-angle prism are made of ordinary optical glass. The standard prism processing technology is used, which does not require special precision processing, significantly reducing the manufacturing cost of the entire system and solving the defects of single-piece integrated structure which is difficult to process and extremely costly.

[0018] 5. Through reasonable structural design, this utility model takes into account both the high power output capability of discrete component cavity type and the high stability of monolithic integrated structure, and achieves multiple advantages such as high output power, strong stability, small size, flexible adjustment, no astigmatism and low cost, thus meeting the diverse needs of practical applications. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cavity type of discrete components in the prior art;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a monolithic integrated structure in existing technology;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the semi-integral ring laser resonator of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 1 In the middle: 1. Cavity mirror one; 2. Cavity mirror two; 3. Cavity mirror three; 4. Cavity mirror four; 5. Laser medium; 6. Half-wave plate; 7. Magneto-optic medium; 8. Input beam; 9. Output beam.

[0023] Figure 2In the diagram: 10. Laser medium; 11. Optical surface one; 12. Optical surface two; 13. Optical surface three; 14. Optical surface four; 15. Input beam; 16. Output beam.

[0024] Figure 3 In the middle: 6. Half-wave plate; 8. Input beam; 9. Output beam; 17. First Vickers prism; 20. Left right-angled facet of the first Vickers prism; 21. Right right-angled facet of the first Vickers prism; 22. Optical thin film; 23. Right-angled prism; 24. Second Vickers prism; 25. One right-angled facet of the second Vickers prism; 26. Another right-angled facet of the second Vickers prism; 27. Magneto-optic medium plano-convex lens; 28. Inclined facet of the right-angled prism. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, the semi-integral ring laser resonator of this invention includes a first prism 17, a right-angle prism 23, a second prism 24, a half-wave plate 6, and a magneto-optical medium 27.

[0027] The first prism 17 is made of all-solid-state laser medium material. Its left right-angled surface 20 is coated with an anti-reflection composite film (optical thin film 22). The composite film (optical thin film 22) is optically bonded to the inclined surface 28 of the right-angled prism 23 to ensure that the input beam 8 is completely incident into the resonant cavity and to achieve partial emission of the output beam 9. The right right-angled surface 21 of the first prism 17 is a standard optical surface that meets the corresponding perpendicularity and flatness requirements.

[0028] The right-angle prism 23 is made of standard ordinary optical glass, and its size matches that of the first prism 17. The inclined surface 28 of the right-angle prism 23 is fixedly connected to the optical film 22 by optical bonding process. The bonding surface meets the parallelism requirements and has no obvious bubble defects, ensuring that the first prism 17, the optical film 22 and the right-angle prism 23 form a stable integrated structure.

[0029] The second prism 24 adopts the same size design as the first prism 17 and is made of standard ordinary optical glass. Its two right-angled surfaces 25 and 26 are standard optical surfaces, which meet the same perpendicularity and flatness requirements as the right-angled surfaces of the first prism 17. The second prism 24 is set in the position corresponding to the first prism 17, so that the left right-angled surface 20 and the right right-angled surface 21 of the first prism 17 and the two right-angled surfaces 25 and 26 of the second prism 24 together form a closed rectangular annular cavity, providing the optical path basis for laser oscillation.

[0030] The magneto-optical medium 27 is fabricated into a plano-convex thick lens structure. The radius of curvature of its convex surface is set according to the required transverse mode type. This plano-convex thick lens can not only effectively screen the target transverse mode, but also ensure the self-reproduction stability of the resonant cavity mode, while completely eliminating astigmatism. The half-wave plate 6 and the magneto-optical medium 27 form an optical one-way device. Through the synergistic effect of natural optical rotation and magneto-optical rotation, the selection of a single laser frequency is achieved, ensuring the single-frequency operation of the laser.

[0031] The working process of this embodiment is as follows: The input beam 8 is fully transmitted into the resonant cavity through the optical thin film 22 of the left right-angle surface 20 of the first prism 17. After being reflected by the right right-angle surface 21 of the first prism 17 and the two right-angle surfaces 25 and 26 of the second prism 24, a closed ring oscillating optical path is formed. During the oscillation process, the magneto-optical medium plano-convex thick lens 27 completes the transverse mode selection, and the half-wave plate 6 cooperates with the magneto-optical medium 27 to achieve single-frequency screening. The laser that meets the conditions is partially reflected by the optical thin film 22 and exits the resonant cavity as the output beam 9.

[0032] This embodiment achieves high output power, strong stability, small size, flexible adjustment, no astigmatism, and low cost by rationally designing the structure and cooperation of each component. It can be widely used in various single-frequency laser-related application scenarios.

[0033] It should be noted that the above-described specific embodiments are only preferred embodiments of this utility model. In practical applications, the laser medium material of the first prism 17, the type of ordinary optical glass, the performance parameters of the optical thin film 22, the radius of curvature of the plano-convex thick lens, etc., can be adjusted according to specific needs. As long as they conform to the technical solutions defined by the claims of this utility model, they all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0034] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model.

Claims

1. A semi-integral ring laser resonator, characterized in that: The system includes a first prism (17), a right-angle prism (23), a second prism (24), a half-wave plate (6), and a magneto-optical medium (27). The first prism (17) is made of laser medium material, and its left right-angled surface (20) is coated with an optical thin film (22). The optical thin film (22) is optically bonded to the inclined surface (28) of the right-angle prism (23) to achieve full incidence of the input beam (8) and partial emission of the output beam (9). The right right-angled surface (21) of the first prism (17) is a standard optical surface. The right-angle prism (23) is made of ordinary optical glass, and its size matches that of the first prism (17). The inclined surface (28) of the right-angle prism (23) is... The optical film (22) is optically bonded to form an integrated composite structure; the second prism (24) is made of ordinary optical glass, and its size is the same as that of the first prism (17), and it is set in a corresponding manner to the first prism (17); the left right-angled surface (20) and the right right-angled surface (21) of the first prism (17) together with the two right-angled surfaces (25) and (26) of the second prism (24) form a rectangular annular cavity; the magneto-optical medium (27) is processed into a plano-convex thick lens structure to achieve transverse mode selection and resonant cavity mode self-reproduction stability, and to eliminate astigmatism; the half-wave plate (6) and the magneto-optical medium (27) form an optical one-way device to achieve single-frequency selection.

2. The semi-integral ring laser resonator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical thin film (22) is an anti-reflection composite film, which is optically bonded to the inclined surface (28) of the right-angle prism (23) to ensure full incidence of the input beam (8) and partial emission of the output beam (9).

3. The semi-integral ring laser resonator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The right-angled surfaces (20), (21), (25), and (26) of the first and second prisms (17) all meet the requirements for perpendicularity and flatness of standard optical surfaces.

4. The semi-integral ring laser resonator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inclined surface (28) of the right-angle prism (23) and the adhesive surface of the optical thin film (22) meet the parallelism requirements, and there are no obvious bubble defects on the adhesive surface.

5. The semi-integral ring laser resonator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radius of curvature of the convex surface of the plano-convex thick lens is set according to the transverse mode selection requirements of the resonant cavity.

6. The semi-integral ring laser resonator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laser medium material of the first prism (17) is an all-solid-state laser medium.

7. The semi-integral ring laser resonator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ordinary optical glass is a standard optical glass material.

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