Optically enhanced cavity with cavity damper device using acoustic waves

Abstract

To provide a laser system including a light source configured to generate laser.SOLUTION: The laser system includes an optical enhancement cavity coupled to a light source and configured to increase the intensity of laser, and a cavity damper coupled to the optical enhancement cavity. Furthermore, the laser system utilizes an acoustic wave that is coupled to the cavity damper and diffracts the laser.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to nuclear fusion energy generation technology. In particular, the present invention provides laser systems and methods for nuclear fusion energy, related methods, and more specifically, techniques for damping lasers from cavity regions. By way of example, the present invention may be applied to a variety of applications, including energy generation for power, spacecraft, travel, other air, land, and water vehicles, defense applications (e.g., satellite, aerospace, land and missile defense, submarines, ships), biotechnology, chemical, mechanical, electrical, and communications and / or data applications.

[0002] Since ancient times, humans have developed energy sources from natural resources such as wood, coal, oil, and gas. However, burning wood and coal causes serious pollution problems, such as the release of undesirable carbon particles into the atmosphere. Oil and gas also have similar limitations and are major causes of "global warming." Renewable energy sources such as nuclear power, wind power, hydroelectric power, and solar energy are promising. However, these renewable energy sources have other drawbacks. Wind energy cannot be used when the wind is blowing. Solar energy cannot be used once the sun sets. Hydroelectric energy is limited to areas with water, and while nuclear energy is promising, it has major problems such as waste generation, unreliable reactors, and danger. Another promising energy source is nuclear fusion energy.

[0003] Fusion energy is a form of energy generation in which two atomic nuclei fuse together, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. The fuel for fusion reactions (mainly hydrogen) is abundant on Earth, and the reaction does not produce greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants, making it a promising clean and abundant energy source.

[0004] There are two main approaches to achieving nuclear fusion: inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and magnetic confinement fusion (MCF).

[0005] Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) uses a high-energy laser or particle beam to compress and heat small fuel pellets to produce nuclear fusion. The main advantage of ICF is that it can produce a fusion reaction with a relatively small amount of fuel at a relatively low cost. However, the process is still in the experimental stage, and significant technological challenges remain before it can be considered as a practical energy source.

[0006] Magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) is a method of fusion that uses a strong magnetic field to confine and heat a hydrogen fuel plasma (hot ionized gas) to create nuclear fusion. The most common type of MCF, called tokamak fusion, uses a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) chamber to contain the plasma. The plasma is held in the center of the chamber by a strong magnetic field generated by passing electric current through coil windings around the chamber. The plasma is heated by injecting energy into it using particle beams or electromagnetic waves.

[0007] The main advantage of MCFs is that they have the potential to produce larger fusion reactions, making them suitable for generating electricity, but they are also more complex and costly than ICFs, and many technical challenges remain to be overcome before they can be considered as a practical energy source.

[0008] ICF and MCF have made significant progress in recent years, and there are several experimental facilities for these technologies around the world. However, achieving a sustained fusion reaction with net energy production (the energy produced by the fusion reaction is greater than the energy required to start and sustain the reaction) remains a major technical challenge.

[0009] Other approaches to fusion energy, such as magnetized target fusion and muon-catalyzed fusion, are being explored, but these approaches are still in the early stages of development, and it is not yet clear whether fusion energy will be a viable energy source.

[0010] From the above, it can be seen that nuclear fusion energy has the potential to become a clean and abundant energy source, but significant technical challenges must be overcome before it can be considered as a practical energy source. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention provides technology generally pertaining to nuclear fusion energy generation technology. In particular, the present invention provides laser systems and methods for nuclear fusion energy and related methods, more specifically, techniques for dumping a laser beam (e.g., continuous mode or multimode) from a cavity region. By way of example, the present invention may be applied to a variety of applications, including power generation, energy generation for spacecraft, travel, and other air, land, and water vehicles, defense applications (e.g., satellites, aerospace, land, and missile defense, submarines, boats), biotechnology, chemical, mechanical, electrical, and communications and / or data applications.

[0012] In one example, the present invention provides a system including a light source configured to generate a laser, an optically intensifying cavity coupled to the light source and configured to increase the intensity of the laser, and a cavity damper coupled to the optically intensifying cavity, and an acoustic wave coupled to the cavity damper to diffract (or interact with, reflect, or pass through a DBR mirror) the laser.

[0013] Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize other variations, modifications, and alternatives.

[0014] Depending on the example, the present invention may achieve at least one of these benefits and / or advantages. In one example, the present invention provides a fusion energy system and related methods that includes a high-intensity pulsed or CW laser system configured with a reactor in a compact, space-efficient system. In one example, the high-intensity pulsed or CW laser system provides sufficient energy to ignite and sustain fusion energy within the reactor. In one example, the present invention provides the advantage of using current high-intensity lasers to generate fusion power at efficient size, weight, and cost. These and / or other advantages are achievable by the devices and related methods of the present invention. More details about these and / or other advantages are provided throughout this specification and, more particularly, below.

[0015] For a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the latter portions of the specification and accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which the presently described embodiments and the best mode of the invention as currently understood will be explained in more detail, with the understanding that these drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a mirror housing arrangement with multiple piezo actuator devices coupled to a mirror device for adjusting the mirror to a resonant or anti-resonant position relative to a laser cavity, according to one example of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a three mirror cavity comprising a primary cavity with two mirror devices fixed at a predetermined length for amplifying and resonating laser pulses according to one example of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a three mirror cavity comprising a primary cavity with two mirror devices fixed at a predetermined length for amplifying and resonating laser pulses according to one example of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram showing a timeline of the operations performed by the three cavities and the relative times required for each operation, according to one example of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating a three-mirror cavity in which each cavity mirror device is suspended in a mirror housing arrangement to form a three-mirror suspended mirror cavity system according to one example of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating a three-mirror cavity in which each cavity mirror device is coupled to a mirror housing to form a three-mirror fixed mirror cavity system in one example of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram illustrating another example of a highly reflective dielectric and distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) made of Ta2O5 / SiO2 and GaAs / Al0.9Ga0.1As in one example of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram illustrating another example of a highly reflective dielectric and distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) made of Ta2O5 / SiO2 and GaAs / Al0.9Ga0.1As in one example of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram showing a cavity damper in which an Acoustic Optical Modulator (AOM) is placed in the vacuum of an OEC in one example of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram showing a cavity damper in which an Acoustic Optical Modulator (AOM) is placed in the vacuum of an OEC in one example of the present invention. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram illustrating how, in one example of the present invention, an amplified laser pulse is transferred from a primary cavity to a secondary cavity, then dumped into free space from the two mirror cavities or secondary cavities shown in FIGS. 9-12, and then reintroduced into a fusion reactor to ignite the fusion fuel. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram illustrating how, in one example of the present invention, multiple three-mirror or two-mirror cavities as shown in FIGS. 9-12 emit multiple laser pulses, each of which is reintroduced into a fusion reactor device to uniformly irradiate the fusion fuel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention provides technology related to fusion energy generation in general. In particular, the present invention provides laser systems and methods for fusion energy and related methods, and more specifically, techniques for ejecting a laser beam from a cavity region to outside the cavity. The present invention may be applied to a variety of applications, including, by way of example, power generation, energy generation for spacecraft, travel, other air, land, and water vehicles, defense applications (e.g., satellites, aerospace, land and missile defense, submarines, boats), biotechnology, chemical, mechanical, electrical, and communication and / or data applications.

[0019] Described below is a three-mirror cavity configuration for amplifying a train of laser pulses into a single high-power, high-energy laser pulse, and then how the amplified laser pulse can be removed from the cavity ("dumped") into free space for use in initiating (e.g., igniting), sustaining, or otherwise utilizing a fusion reaction.

[0020] In one example, a three-mirror cavity forms a series of coupled Fabry-Perot cavities, including a primary cavity defined by the first and second mirrors and a secondary cavity defined by the second and third mirrors. In one example, the effective reflectivity can be changed by altering the resonance condition of the cavity formed by the second and third mirrors. This configuration allows the first and second mirrors (the intensifier cavity) to be treated as a single optical element, or "composite mirror." By slightly moving the third mirror, the coupled cavity can be brought into resonance, effectively changing the effective reflectivity of the second mirror. When the secondary cavity (the cavity formed by the second and third mirrors) is in resonance, the effective transmittance of the composite mirror increases, allowing laser energy to be emitted from the intensifier cavity formed by the first and second mirrors and directed out of the cavity system for use in applications such as nuclear fusion reactions.

[0021] In one example, a principle exists related to the resonance conditions of each cavity. The enhancement cavity is maintained at resonance and is used to stack a sufficient number of pulses into a single high-energy pulse. The secondary cavity (second and third mirrors) is maintained at anti-resonance to prevent photons from being trapped in the secondary cavity due to destructive interference caused by anti-resonance. Moving the third mirror with a piezoelectric actuator (e.g., using a piezoelectric actuator with a response time of 50 microseconds) brings the secondary cavity into resonance, trapping photons within the cavity. This increases the effective transmittance of the second mirror, allowing the energy stored in the enhancement cavity to be released from the cavity. By appropriately selecting the reflectivity of the mirror coatings, optimal or desired transmittance can be achieved when both cavities are at resonance, effectively "dumping" as much laser energy as possible into a single high-energy pulse.

[0022] When the cavity is at resonance, an exact integer multiple of the wavelength of light falls within the cavity, allowing constructive interference to build up laser light within the cavity, whereas when the cavity is at anti-resonance, an exact half-integer multiple of the wavelength of light falls within the cavity, allowing destructive interference to prevent laser energy from building up within the cavity.

[0023] To move from anti-resonance to resonant, the final mirror must be moved by a quarter of a wavelength, or λ / 4. Such a quarter-micron movement requires precise monitoring and positioning equipment, as well as precise holding of the mirror to store energy while maintaining resonant or anti-resonant conditions. For example, a fast-response piezo actuator with a response time of, for example, 50 microseconds is a suitable means for precisely moving the third mirror to resonant.

[0024] In one example, a three-mirror cavity damper was described. The use of three mirrors allows the cavity damper to have a fast response time of less than 1 microsecond. In one example, a three-mirror cavity damper requires the use of a piezo actuator to move the third mirror. In one example, the fast piezo actuator has a response time of 50 microseconds, which is much slower than the 1 microsecond round trip time of a laser beam in a 150-meter optically enhanced cavity (OEC).

[0025] In one example, an alternative configuration of a two-mirror cavity with a cavity damper is described.

[0026] In one example, the present invention provides a highly reflective dielectric distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), a GaAs / AlGaAs DBR, or a DBR made of any material. These are used as highly reflective mirrors with a reflectivity of 99.99% or higher. In one example, the present invention provides a highly reflective DBR mirror with the additional function of changing the direction of a reflected laser beam by applying an acoustic wave of 0.01 MHz to 1 GHz to the DBR via a piezoelectric transducer. In one example, an infrared laser (IR laser) in the wavelength range of 1020 nm to 1070 nm is suitable for an optically enhanced cavity (OEC), which minimizes or reduces mirror damage in the OEC.

[0027] In one example, the DBR mirror is composed of multiple layers. In one example, the thickness of each layer is set to λ / 4n, where λ is the laser wavelength (1040 nm) and n is the refractive index of each layer. For example, Ta2O5, SiO2, GaAs, and Al 0.9 Ga 0.1 The refractive indices of As are 2.2, 1.5, 3.3, and 3.0, respectively. 0.9 Ga 0.1 The refractive index difference Δn (the difference in refractive index between the two materials) in each As DBR is 0.7 and 0.3, respectively, which are relatively large. Therefore, to obtain a high reflectivity (99.9999%), 20 to 50 periods are sufficient. 0.9 Ga 0.1By applying acoustic waves from 0.01 MHz to 1 GHz to the AsDBR mirror via a piezoelectric transducer, the reflected laser beam is diffracted at a constant angle of up to 20 degrees from the optical cavity in the first optical path to the outside of the second optical path. This mechanism is called an Acoustic Optical Modulator (AOM). The amplified laser beam is then multiple-reflected within the cavity and extracted from the first optical path to the second optical path. The response time of the AOM is 5 ns to 100 ns, which is much faster than the round-trip time (1 μs) of a laser beam in a 150 m optical enhancement cavity (OEC). Therefore, the amplified laser beam can be completely extracted from the second mirror before the next pulse reaches the second DBR mirror. A response time of 10 ns for the AOM is applied to a shorter OEC cavity (1.5 m) in this example. In one example, a shorter cavity has the advantage of reducing the installation space and cost of the OEC.

[0028] In this example, GaAs / A 0.9 Ga 0.1 The above example is applicable to Ta2O5 / SiO2 and HfO2 / SiO2 DBRs, as well as any other type of dielectric DBR, and even III-nitride or conventional III-V DBRs, which allow the reflected laser beam to be extracted from the first optical path to the second optical path.

[0029] In one example, a 150-m-long optically enhanced cavity (OEC) is provided, equipped with two highly reflective mirrors with a reflectivity of 99.999%. The two mirrors form an OEC cavity damper. In this configuration, a laser pulse source with a pulse energy of 0.1 mJ and a frequency of 1 MHz is amplified up to 100,000 times within the OEC through approximately 100,000 multiple reflections. The amplified laser beam is then extracted as a high-energy laser beam with a pulse energy of 10 kJ through an optical modulation device attached to the second mirror. This extraction is achieved by applying an acoustic wave to the DBR mirror via a piezoelectric transducer, which diffracts the reflected laser beam. The extraction frequency is 10 Hz.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, acoustic waves are generated in a vacuum within the cavity of the OEC. In one embodiment, a laser beam is placed as close as possible to the piezo transducer so that it is diffracted by the acoustic waves, since there is no medium for acoustic waves to propagate in a vacuum.

[0031] In one example, the following description describes how an acoustic wave interacts with a laser beam.

[0032] When an acoustic wave interacts with a laser beam, the interaction can cause diffraction due to a phenomenon known as the acousto-optic effect, which arises from the interaction of sound and light waves within a material medium, typically a crystal or optical fiber.

[0033] In one example, acoustic waves are generated within the material medium, which can be done using a piezoelectric transducer or other means capable of generating acoustic waves.

[0034] In one example, the passage of an acoustic wave through a material produces a periodic change in the refractive index within the medium, and this refractive index modulation results from the acoustic wave inducing periodic density fluctuations within the material.

[0035] In one example, when a laser beam passes through a medium that has these refractive index changes, it interacts with the regions of refractive index that change, and this interaction causes the laser beam to diffract.

[0036] In one example, the periodic modulation of the refractive index acts as a diffraction grating for a laser beam, splitting the beam into multiple diffraction orders, each traveling in a slightly different direction. The angles and intensities of the diffracted beams depend on the laser wavelength, the frequency and amplitude of the acoustic wave, and the properties of the material medium.

[0037] In one example, controlling the parameters of the acoustic wave (such as frequency, amplitude, and phase) can control the diffraction pattern, enabling the manipulation of laser beams. As background, this principle has been utilized in a variety of acousto-optic devices, including acousto-optic modulators, acousto-optic deflectors, and tunable filters, for applications in laser communications, spectroscopy, and laser-based imaging and sensing.

[0038] In one example, the interaction of acoustic waves with laser beams via the acousto-optic effect provides a means to dynamically control and manipulate laser light, enabling a variety of practical applications in the fields of optics and photonics. Further details of these techniques are provided throughout this specification and more specifically below.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which multiple piezoelectric actuator devices are coupled to the back surface of a mirror device, enabling the position of the mirror device mounted on a mirror housing device to be adjusted in a single axis, according to one example of the present invention. In one example, the multiple piezoelectric actuator devices are attached to a base plate coupled to a mirror housing, which is connected to an electronic drive device. The electronic drive device coupled to the piezoelectric actuator devices generates a current to adjust the length of the piezoelectric actuator devices from an initial length M to a final length N. Once the length reaches the final length N, a laser pulse is reflected by the mirror device and redirected to form an optically enhanced cavity. The piezoelectric actuators are preferably located at the end regions of the DBR mirror or its mounter, as the laser beam is extracted from the back surface of the mirror.

[0040] 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating an amplification configuration of a three-mirror optically enhanced cavity apparatus according to an example of the present invention, in which a primary cavity is formed between a first mirror device and a second mirror device, and a secondary cavity is formed between a second mirror device and a third mirror device. In one example, the three-mirror optically enhanced cavity is configured during the build-up phase, with the distance between the first mirror device and the second mirror device and the distance between the second mirror device and the third mirror device set to amplify a CW or laser pulse in the primary cavity, amplifying light from a lower energy level O to a higher energy level P while rejecting light from the secondary cavity.

[0041] As shown, a third mirror device is placed a predetermined distance behind either mirror device to form a secondary cavity that is set in anti-resonance with the primary cavity such that laser light does not propagate into the secondary cavity.

[0042] 3 is a simplified diagram showing the damping configuration of a three-mirror optically enhanced cavity device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a primary cavity is formed between the first and second mirror devices, and a secondary cavity is formed between the second and third mirror devices. Upon reaching a high energy level P, the distance between the second and third mirror devices is changed from length Q to a new length R, thereby transferring the amplified CW or laser pulse at high energy P to the secondary cavity and then propagating into free space.

[0043] As shown, a third mirror device is placed a predetermined distance behind either mirror device to form a secondary cavity that is set in resonance with the primary cavity, such that laser light propagates into the secondary cavity and then through the third mirror device out of both cavities.

[0044] 4 is a simplified diagram showing a timeline of operations performed by a three-mirror optical intensifier cavity and the relative time required for each operation, according to one example of the present invention. In one example, the primary and secondary cavities are configured to amplify a CW or laser pulse for 100 milliseconds, amplifying it from a low energy level M to a high energy level N. Upon reaching the high energy level N, the third mirror device moves from a first position S to a second position T in 50 microseconds. Upon reaching the second position T, the amplified CW or laser pulse is dumped into the secondary cavity and then propagated into free space for 1 microsecond. The third mirror device then moves back from position T to the original position S, and the amplification operation is repeated.

[0045] 5 is a simplified diagram of a three-mirror optically intensified cavity according to an embodiment of the present invention, where each cavity mirror is suspended via a suspension system. In one example, the three-mirror cavity is configured such that a first mirror device and a second mirror device form a primary cavity, and a second mirror device and a third mirror device form a secondary cavity. The first mirror device, the second mirror device, and the third mirror device are coupled to a mirror housing device, which is coupled to a wire device to suspend each mirror device in free space.

[0046] 6 is a simplified diagram of a three-mirror optically intensified cavity according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which each cavity mirror is mounted to a rigid structural cavity system. The three-mirror cavity is configured such that a first mirror device and a second mirror device form a primary cavity, and a second mirror device and a third mirror device form a secondary cavity. The first mirror device, second mirror device, and third mirror device are coupled to a rigid mirror housing device, which is further coupled to a rigid table device, thereby forming a rigid three-mirror optically intensified cavity.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram illustrating another example of a highly reflective dielectric distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) according to an example of the present invention, including Ta2O5 / SiO2 and GaAs / Al 0.9 Ga 0.1 The structure using As is shown. The thickness of each layer is set to λ / 4n, where λ is the laser wavelength (1040 nm) and n is the refractive index of each layer. For example, Ta2O5, SiO2, GaAs, Al 0.9 Ga 0.1 The refractive indices of As are 2.2, 1.5, 3.3, and 3.0, respectively. 0.9 Ga 0.1The refractive index differences Δn in the As DBRs are 0.7 and 0.3, respectively, which are relatively large. Therefore, in either configuration, 20 to 50 periods is sufficient to obtain a high reflectivity of 99.999%. As shown in Figure 7, 0.9 Ga 0.1 By applying acoustic waves from 0.01 MHz to 1 GHz to the AsDBR mirror via a piezoelectric transducer, the reflected laser beam is diffracted at a constant angle of up to 20 degrees from inside the optical cavity in the first optical path to outside the cavity in the second optical path. This mechanism is called an acousto-optic modulator (AOM). The amplified laser beam is then extracted from the first optical path to the second optical path, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The response time of the AOM is 5 ns to 100 ns, much faster than the 1 microsecond round-trip time of the laser beam in the 150 m optically enhanced cavity (OEC) shown in Figure 8. Therefore, the pulse intensity of the amplified laser beam is fully extracted before the next pulse reaches the second DBR mirror. If the response time of the AOM is 10 ns, this example can be applied to a shorter 1.5 m OEC cavity. This has the significant advantage of reducing the required installation space and cost of the OEC. When GaAs / AlGaAs is configured on a GaAs substrate, the GaAs functions as the piezoelectric transducer. This is because conventional III-V and III-nitride materials have piezoelectric properties. Therefore, other conventional III-V and III-nitride materials can also be used as piezoelectric transducers and DBR mirror materials. As shown in Figure 7, the piezoelectric transducer is preferably attached to the backside of the DBR mirror, so that the acoustic wave is directly incident on the DBR mirror. The backside of the piezoelectric transducer is bonded to the DBR mirror substrate. If the acoustic wave intensity is sufficiently high, the piezoelectric transducer can be placed on the backside of the DBR mirror substrate, as shown in Figure 7.

[0048] In one example, GaAs / Al 0.9 Ga 0.1We have described an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) using As. The above example can also be applied to Ta2O5 / SiO2, HfO2 / SiO2, and other DBRs, which allow the laser beam to be extracted from the first optical path to the second optical path.

[0049] As shown, a two-mirror optically enhanced cavity (OEC) with an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is used to extract the laser beam by diffracting the reflected laser beam by applying acoustic waves to the DBR mirror via a piezoelectric transducer.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram showing an example of an optically enhanced cavity (OEC) according to the present invention, configured with two highly reflective mirrors with a reflectivity of 99.999% and a cavity length of 150 m. In this configuration, a laser pulse source with a pulse energy of 0.1 mJ and a frequency of 1 MHz is multiple-reflected within the cavity, and is amplified up to 100,000 times. The amplified pulse energy of 10 kJ is then extracted at a frequency of 10 Hz via an optical modulation device attached to the second mirror. This extraction is performed using the Ta2O5 / SiO2 DBR mirror or GaAs / Al2O3 shown in FIG. 7. 0.9 Ga 0.1 As described for the AsDBR mirror, this is done by applying an acoustic wave via a piezo transducer to diffract the reflected laser beam from within the optical cavity into a second optical path outside.

[0051] As shown, a two-mirror optically enhanced cavity (OEC) with an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is used to extract the laser beam by applying acoustic waves to the DBR mirror via a piezoelectric transducer, thereby diffracting the reflected laser beam.

[0052] In one example, the laser beam interacts with the DBR mirror and is diffracted, reflected, or transmitted through the DBR mirror. In one example, the first optical path is continuous and coaxial with the second optical path. In one example, the laser is transmitted through the DBR mirror to a second optical path, which is coaxial with the first optical path.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram showing an arrangement in which acoustic waves are generated in a vacuum in the cavity space of an optically enhanced cavity (OEC) according to one example of the present invention. In one example, it is desirable to have an arrangement that does not require a medium for propagating the acoustic waves. In one example, the laser beam needs to be placed as close as possible to the piezo transducer so that it is diffracted by the acoustic waves. The laser beam is focused at a location where the acoustic waves are strong, i.e., less than 10 mm from the piezo transducer. The vacuum level is set to 10 -5 By changing the pressure from 0.1 Torr to 300 Torr, the propagation distance of the acoustic wave increases from 0.1 mm to 10 mm, after which the laser beam is diffracted by the acoustic wave.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram showing a configuration in which acoustic waves are generated in a vacuum within the cavity of an optically enhanced cavity (OEC) according to one example of the present invention. In this case, the vacuum environment provides no medium for acoustic waves to propagate. Because there is no medium, such as air, the laser beam must be placed as close as possible to the piezoelectric transducer so that it is diffracted by the acoustic waves. Two piezoelectric transducers, each equipped with a piezoelectric crystal or piezoelectric material, are placed at a narrow distance of 1 to 200 microns. Then, acoustic waves of different frequencies are applied from each piezoelectric transducer, resulting in an enhanced acoustic wave effect using the two piezoelectric transducers. A laser beam is focused in the gap between the two piezoelectric transducers, where the acoustic waves are stronger than in other areas. The laser beam is then diffracted by the acoustic waves. In one example, the vacuum level is increased to 10 ―5By changing the pressure from 100 Torr to 300 Torr, the propagation distance of the acoustic wave in the gap increases from 0.2 mm to 10 mm. Furthermore, even when it is necessary to maintain a high vacuum throughout the OEC, it is possible to locally adjust the vacuum level near the piezoelectric transducer by locally introducing gas or air only near the piezoelectric transducer and locally drawing a vacuum from the opposite side.

[0055] FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram illustrating, by way of example, a method for redirecting CW or laser pulses removed from the three-mirror optically enhanced cavity (OEC) or two-mirror OEC with an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) shown in FIGS. 7-10. In one example, a first mirror device and a second mirror device are positioned opposite each other to form a primary optically enhanced cavity, and a second mirror device and a third mirror device are positioned to form a secondary optically enhanced cavity. In one example, a laser source operating in a CW mode or a laser pulse mode is positioned to inject laser light into the primary optically enhanced cavity. The length of the secondary optically enhanced cavity is set to L, which creates an anti-resonant state where the laser light does not enter the secondary cavity but is amplified within the primary optically enhanced cavity from a low energy level M to a high energy level N. Upon reaching the high energy level N, the third mirror device is moved, changing the cavity length from L to a new length R, and the secondary optically enhanced cavity enters a resonant state. The amplified laser light is then coupled into a second mirror device and transferred to a secondary optically enhanced cavity. The amplified laser light in the secondary optically enhanced cavity is coupled into a third mirror device and directed into free space. In the three-mirror optically enhanced cavity or two-mirror OEC shown in Figures 7-10, the laser light propagating into free space is redirected by an external mirror and injected into the fusion reactor.

[0056] FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram illustrating an example of a nuclear fusion reactor system with multiple three-mirror optically enhanced cavities according to one example of the present invention. In one example, the multiple three-mirror optically enhanced cavities are configured such that a first mirror and a second mirror form a primary cavity and a second mirror and a third mirror form a secondary cavity. Multiple pulsed laser light sources are coupled to the three-mirror optically enhanced cavities, and the pulsed laser is amplified in the primary cavity of each cavity from a low energy level M to a high energy level N. Upon reaching the high energy level N, the third mirror in each three-mirror optically enhanced cavities moves from position S to a new position T. When the third mirror reaches position T, the amplified laser pulse is coupled to the second mirror, transferred to the secondary cavity, and then coupled to the third mirror for propagation into free space. Multiple laser pulses propagated into free space from the three-mirror optically enhanced cavities (OECs) or two-mirror OECs with AOMs shown in FIGS. 7-10 are coupled to multiple harmonic generators, where the frequency of the laser pulses is doubled or tripled. The frequency-doubled laser pulses are coupled into external mirror devices and directed into the fusion reactor to ignite the fusion fuel. In one example, an IR (infrared) laser, such as a laser with a wavelength of 1020 nm to 1070 nm, is suitable for the optically enhanced cavity, as this has the advantage of reducing or minimizing damage to the DBR mirrors.

[0057] In one example, the present invention provides a high-power laser system configured in a fusion reactor designed for imploding and igniting fusion fuel. In one example, the system includes a continuous-wave laser source ("source laser") modulated to output laser pulses or continuous-wave (CW) operation. In one example, the system includes a coherent beam combining (CBC) amplifier laser device that amplifies the laser pulses or CW generated from the source laser from a lower energy level N to a higher energy level O. In one example, the system includes an optically enhanced cavity (OEC) with three mirrors configured to further pump the pulsed or CW laser from energy level O to a higher energy level P within the optically enhanced cavity. The OEC is configured to dump the laser pulses that reach the higher energy level P outside the optically enhanced cavity.

[0058] In one example, the system includes an optical enhancement cavity (OEC) formed by two mirrors, where mirror A is coupled to a CW or pulsed laser source and mirror B is positioned opposite mirror A, where mirror A has a higher reflectivity (e.g., 99.99% or greater) than mirror B (e.g., less than 99.99%). The OEC is positioned such that mirror A and mirror B face each other to form a primary enhancement cavity. The terms "A" and "B" are used for reference purposes.

[0059] In one example, the system includes a third mirror, Mirror C, positioned behind Mirror B and facing in the same direction as Mirror B, thereby forming a second-order enhanced cavity. Similar to Mirror B, Mirror C has a reflectivity of less than 99.99%.

[0060] In one example, the system is configured such that the length of the primary enhancement cavity is longer than the length of the secondary enhancement cavity.

[0061] In one example, the system includes Q piezoelectric actuator devices coupled to the backside of mirror C, where Q is a number greater than 1, that can adjust the position of mirror C to move from position R that excludes light from the primary enhancement cavity during the build-up phase to position T that accepts light into the secondary enhancement cavity. In one example, Q is a number greater than 2. The terms "C" and "R" are used for reference purposes herein.

[0062] In one example, mirror C is configured with a plurality of piezo actuator devices that are uniaxially movable over a distance equivalent to one-quarter of the wavelength of the source laser.

[0063] In one example, the system also includes a steerable mirror device capable of receiving a CW laser or laser pulse from the optically enhanced cavity and changing its direction of propagation.

[0064] In one example, the optical enhancement cavity has a pair of three mirror devices forming a primary cavity region, where one of the pair of mirror devices forming the primary cavity region forms a secondary cavity region together with a third mirror device.

[0065] In one example, the system includes a third mirror device and a second mirror device forming a secondary cavity, and an actuation device that outputs an electronic signal to adjust the length of a piezoelectric material in a piezoelectric device coupled to the third mirror device, where the second mirror device and the third mirror device are included in a triad of mirror devices.

[0066] In one example, an OEC (optically enhanced cavity) includes a primary cavity formed by a pair of mirror devices, where a propagating laser beam circulates and resonates within the primary cavity region, increasing its intensity from a first value to a second value. In one example, the OEC includes a secondary cavity formed by one of the mirrors included in the primary cavity and a third mirror. In one example, the third mirror is configured to change its position with a response time of less than 100 microseconds. In one example, the third mirror device includes a piezo actuator with a response time of less than 100 microseconds. In one example, the source laser has an oscillation wavelength between 1020 nm and 1070 nm. In one example, each mirror is composed of a dielectric or AlGaAs / GaAs distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). In one example, the source laser includes at least one coherent beam-combining laser (CBC) that amplifies CW or laser pulses from a low energy level to a high energy level.

[0067] In one example, the optically enhanced cavity (OEC) is one of a plurality of over 300 OECs, each consisting of three mirrors coupled to ignite fuel for a fusion reaction. In one example, each mirror is characterized by a diameter of less than 5 inches. In one example, the OEC has a cavity length of less than 50 meters in a three-mirror configuration and generates a CW laser or a laser with a pulse width greater than 1 microsecond. In one example, the OEC has a cavity length of greater than 100 meters and generates a laser with a pulse width less than 0.5 microsecond. In one example, the system is characterized by converting the wavelength of the laser beam extracted from the OEC from infrared (IR, ω) to green (2ω) or ultraviolet (UV, 3ω) via one or more nonlinear crystals, where ω represents the frequency of the infrared laser source. In one example, the extracted IR, green, or UV laser beam is directed into a fusion reactor to irradiate a fuel target.

[0068] In one example, the present invention provides a method for transferring a propagating continuous wave (CW) or laser pulse from a primary cavity through a secondary cavity to a third region of free space. The method includes using a primary cavity configured with a first mirror device having a reflectivity greater than 99.99% and a second mirror device having a reflectivity less than 99.99%. The first mirror device has a higher reflectivity than the second mirror device. The method also includes using a secondary cavity positioned behind and in parallel with the primary cavity, the secondary cavity being configured with a second mirror device and a third mirror device, each having a reflectivity less than 99.99%, the second mirror device and the third mirror device having a lower reflectivity than the first mirror device. In one example, the method includes injecting a CW or laser pulse from a laser source into the primary cavity, the first mirror device and the second mirror device configured such that the energy level of the CW or laser pulse circulating and resonating within the cavity during a build-up phase increases from a low level M to a high level N, where M and N represent energy level values. The method includes, during a build-up phase, setting the length of the third mirror device to form an anti-resonant state in the secondary cavity, thereby preventing light from entering the secondary cavity from the primary cavity. In one example, the method includes increasing the energy level N in the primary cavity and then changing the position of the third mirror device from a first position U to a second position V, where position V corresponds to a resonance length with the primary cavity. This couples a CW or laser pulse into the second mirror device, and a portion of the pulse is transmitted through the second mirror device. The method also includes resonating the secondary CW or laser pulse within a secondary cavity formed by the second and third mirror devices, and a portion of the pulse is transmitted through the third mirror device. The method also includes forming a third CW or laser pulse outside the primary and secondary cavities.

[0069] In one example, the method includes reflecting the third CW or laser pulse off an external mirror device and transmitting the third CW or laser pulse through the external mirror device in an external propagation direction.

[0070] In one example, the present invention provides a laser system according to yet another configuration. The system includes a primary optical enhancement cavity configured between a first mirror device and a second mirror device, the primary optical enhancement cavity being defined by a length between the first mirror device and the second mirror device. In one example, the primary optical enhancement cavity (POEC) has a first end region near the first mirror device and a second end region near the second mirror device. The system also includes a secondary optical enhancement cavity configured between the second mirror device and a third mirror device of the primary optical enhancement cavity, the length between the second mirror device and the third mirror device being shorter than the length of the primary optical enhancement cavity. In one example, the secondary optical enhancement cavity has a second end region near the second mirror device and a third end region near the third mirror device. In one example, the second mirror device is defined as a common mirror, constituting the primary optical enhancement cavity and the secondary optical enhancement cavity. The system also includes a pulsed or CW laser device coupled to the primary optical enhancement cavity, generating a pulsed or CW laser beam in a first intensity range between the first mirror device and the second mirror device, and propagating the laser beam between the second mirror device and the third mirror device when the third mirror device is moved to a position to receive the laser beam. In one example, the system includes a chamber configured to enclose the primary optical enhancement cavity and the secondary optical enhancement cavity in a vacuum environment, and at least one actuator driver configured for the third mirror device. The actuator driver is configured to move the third mirror device from an anti-resonance position R to a resonant position S, thereby placing the secondary optical enhancement cavity in a resonant or anti-resonant state with respect to the primary optical enhancement cavity.

[0071] In one example, the system includes a housing for each mirror device, the housing being configured to be mounted to a rigid ground surface or suspended from a hanger device to form a pendulum structure. In one example, the actuator drive can include a piezoelectric actuator device. In another example, the actuator drive can include an electromagnetic actuator device.

[0072] In one example, the present invention provides a nuclear fusion system. The system includes a nuclear fusion reaction chamber having an interior region. In one example, the interior region includes a reaction region. In one example, the system includes a plurality of optically enhanced cavities (OECs) numbered 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, disposed externally of the fusion reaction chamber.

[0073] In one example, each optical enhancement cavity includes a first mirror device disposed at a first end region, the first mirror device having a first surface. Also, each optical enhancement cavity includes a second mirror device disposed at a second end region, the second mirror device having a second surface opposite the first surface. In one example, the system includes a primary cavity region defined between the first surface and the second surface.

[0074] In one example, the system includes a third mirror device having a third surface, the third surface being positioned at a third end region opposite the back surface of the second surface and located behind the second end region and outside the primary cavity region.

[0075] Preferably, the system comprises a secondary cavity region defined between the second surface and the third surface.

[0076] In one example, the system includes a laser device operably coupled to at least one mirror device, the laser device configured to generate a laser pulse or a continuous wave (CW) laser propagating between a first surface and a second surface and configured to be in an anti-resonant state between the second surface and a third surface to prevent the laser pulse from propagating between the second surface and the third surface, whereby the laser is compounded in the cavity region with increasing energy intensity over M cycles from a first intensity to a second intensity to an Mth intensity, where M is greater than 1,000 cycles.

[0077] In one example, the system includes at least one piezo actuator drive configured on a third mirror device, the piezo actuator drive configured to move the third mirror device to cause the secondary cavity region to be in resonance with a laser pulse propagating in the primary cavity region and propagate the laser pulse or CW into the secondary cavity region.

[0078] In one example, the system includes a plurality of steering mirror devices numbered 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. In one example, the plurality of steering mirror devices are respectively coupled to a plurality of optically enhanced cavities, and each steering mirror device is configured to receive a pulsed or CW laser beam from a secondary cavity region and direct the laser beam in a focusable direction.

[0079] In one example, the system includes a plurality of focusing optics numbered 1 through N. In one example, the plurality of focusing optics are operatively coupled to a plurality of steering mirrors, each configured to focus and direct a pulsed laser beam or a CW laser beam toward a reaction region.

[0080] In one example, the system includes a fuel target injected into a reaction region, the fuel target spatially arranged to receive multiple pulsed or CW laser beams, which cause nuclear fusion ignition of the fuel target.

[0081] In one example, the system includes a first support member configured to support the first end region, a second support member configured to support the second end region, and a third support member configured to support the third end region, thereby maintaining the primary optical enhancement cavity and the secondary optical enhancement cavity in a rigid and stable alignment.

[0082] In one example, the fusion reaction chamber is maintained in a vacuum environment.

[0083] In one example, the first mirror device is characterized by a mirror reflectivity of 99.99% or greater for both the pulsed laser beam and the CW laser, and the second mirror device and the third mirror device are characterized by a mirror reflectivity of 99.99% or less for both lasers.

[0084] In one example, the piezo actuator drive includes a piezo actuator device.

[0085] In another example, the present invention provides a laser generation system, comprising an optically enhanced cavity (OEC), maintained in a vacuum environment, e.g., 300 Torr or less, and having a cavity length of 0.1 meter to 1 kilometer. In one example, the optically enhanced cavity is configured to increase the intensity of a continuous wave (CW) or pulsed laser beam from an initial energy output intensity to a higher energy output intensity, by circulating CW or pulsed energy (e.g., 0.001 millijoules to 1 megajoule or more) output from a laser source over a first optical path and resonating at least a portion of the energy output intensity within the optically enhanced cavity to enhance the laser beam.

[0086] In one example, the system includes an optical redirection device coupled to the optical cavity, configured to repeatedly redirect a propagation direction of a laser beam propagating on a first optical path at predetermined times (e.g., in a range of 0.001 microseconds to 10 seconds) and operate with a response time of 1 picosecond to 30 microseconds, thereby redirecting the propagation direction of the laser beam to a second optical path outside the optically enhanced cavity.

[0087] In one example, the system includes a timing device configured to have a predetermined frequency and configured to adjust the optical path changing device after a predetermined number of oscillations of the laser beam between at least one pair of mirrors, thereby controlling the intensity of the CW or laser pulse to increase stepwise with each cycle of the laser beam.

[0088] In one example, the system includes a driving device coupled to the timing device and the optical path changing device, the driving device configured to operate on an optical element of a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) mirror, and applying an acoustic wave within the DBR mirror to diffract and extract the laser beam, thereby changing the direction of the laser beam propagating on a first optical path to a second optical path.

[0089] In one example, the optically enhanced cavity (OEC) is a Fabry-Perot cavity composed of a pair of highly reflective mirrors with a reflectivity of 99.99% or greater. In one example, each highly reflective mirror is composed of a dielectric distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), including a GaAs / AlGaAs DBR or a dielectric DBR. In one example, the DBR is coupled to an acoustic wave in the range of, for example, 0.01 MHz to 10 GHz, and the diffraction angle of the laser beam is changed in the range of, for example, 0.00001 degrees to 10 degrees. In one example, the dielectric DBR is selected from at least HfO2, SiO2, Ta2O5, TeO2, glass, quartz, Ge, PbMO4, LiNbO3, KDP, KH2PO4, BBO, BTO, or a combination thereof. In one example, the diffraction of the laser beam is caused by an acousto-optic modulator (AOM). In one example, the diffraction of the laser beam is caused by an acoustic wave generated by a piezoelectric transducer. In one example, the piezoelectric transducer is disposed on a partial area or the entire back surface of the DBR mirror. In one example, the laser beam has an oscillation wavelength of, for example, 1020 nm to 1070 nm. In one example, the DBR mirror is composed of at least a III-nitride material, a III-V material, or a combination thereof. In one example, III-nitride materials and III-V materials are used in the piezoelectric transducer. In one example, the optical path changing device includes at least GaAs and is characterized as a transducer. In one example, the optical path changing device includes at least GaAs with a (111) crystal orientation and is characterized as a transducer. In one example, the optical path changing device is composed of at least Ta2O5 / SiO2 or HfO2 / DBR mirror. In one example, the optical path changing device is composed of a Ta2O5 / SiO2 DBR or HfO2 / DBR mirror formed on a GaAs transducer.

[0090] In one example, the wavelength of the laser beam output from the OEC is converted from infrared (IR, ω) to green (2ω) or ultraviolet (UV, 3ω) via a nonlinear crystal, where ω represents the frequency of the IR laser source. In one example, the laser beam from the OEC irradiates fuel within a fusion reactor chamber. In one example, the IR, green, or UV laser beam irradiates fuel disposed within a fusion reactor.

[0091] In one example, the present invention provides a method for diffracting a laser beam, the method comprising generating an acoustic wave in an internal region of a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) mirror and irradiating the acoustic wave from the back side of the DBR mirror. In one example, a laser beam or an incident laser beam is irradiated from the front side of the DBR mirror, and then the laser beam is reflected by the DBR mirror, and simultaneously the reflected laser beam is diffracted by the acoustic wave.

[0092] In one example, the angle of the diffracted laser beam is in the range of 0.00001 degrees to 10 degrees relative to the incident laser beam. In one example, the DBR mirror is composed of a GaAs / AlGaAs or dielectric DBR. In one example, 50% to 99% of the incident laser beam is diffracted. In one example, the DBR mirror includes a GaAs / AlGaAs DBR mirror formed on a GaAs substrate or template, where the GaAs is characterized as a transducer for generating acoustic waves. In one example, the DBR mirror includes a piezo transducer disposed on the back surface of the DBR mirror. In one example, the laser beam has an oscillation wavelength of 100 nm to 3000 nm. In one example, the DBR mirror is composed of at least Ta2O5 / SiO2, HfO2 / SiO2, or a dielectric DBR mirror. In one example, the DBR mirror is composed of Ta2O5 / SiO2, HfO2 / SiO2, or a dielectric DBR formed on a GaAs transducer.

[0093] In one example, the present invention provides a system including a light source configured to generate a laser, an optically intensified cavity coupled to the light source and configured to increase the intensity of the laser, and a cavity damper coupled to the optically intensified cavity, and an acoustic wave coupled to the cavity damper and configured to diffract the laser with the acoustic wave.

[0094] In one example, the laser is focused on a region of high acoustic wave intensity. In one example, the laser is focused, for example, within 10 mm of a piezoelectric transducer. In one example, the laser is generated using two piezoelectric transducers including piezoelectric crystals, configured with a gap of, for example, less than 10 mm. In one example, the laser beam is focused in the gap and diffracted by the acoustic wave.

[0095] Further details of optically enhanced cavities using Fabry-Perot cavities are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 319,368, filed May 17, 2023, in the names of Shuji Nakamura and Hiroaki Ohta, entitled "A FAST IGNITION FUSION SYSTEM AND METHOD," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0096] While the above is a complete description of specific embodiments, various modifications, alternative configurations, or equivalents may be used. By way of example, a packaged device may include any combination of the elements described above, or components not described herein. By way of example, terms such as "first" and "second" do not denote an order, and terms such as "M," "N," "O," and "P" denote values. Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A laser generation system comprising: an Optical Enhancement Cavity (OEC) maintained in a vacuum environment of 300 Torr or less and having a length of 0.1 meters to 1 kilometer, the OEC configured to increase the intensity of a continuous wave (CW) or pulsed laser beam from an initial energy output intensity to a higher energy output intensity by circulating within the OEC at least a portion of the CW or pulsed energy output from a light source on a first optical path; an optical path changing device coupled to the optically enhanced cavity and configured to repeatedly change the propagation of the laser beam propagating on the first optical path at predetermined times to change the direction of travel of the laser beam propagating on the first optical path to a second optical path outside the optically enhanced cavity and outside the first optical path; a timing device having a predetermined frequency and configured to adjust the optical path changing device after a predetermined number of cycles of the laser beam going back and forth between at least one pair of mirrors, so that the intensity of the CW or pulsed laser beam increases stepwise in each cycle; a driving device coupled to the timing device and the optical path changing device, the driving device configured to extract the laser beam by interacting the laser beam with a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) mirror optical element using an acoustic wave, and to change the direction of the laser beam propagating along the first optical path to the second optical path; Equipped with Laser generation system.

2. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, the optically enhanced cavity (OEC) is a Fabry-Perot cavity composed of a pair of highly reflective mirrors having a reflectivity of more than 99.99%; each of the high-reflectivity mirrors comprises a dielectric distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), including a GaAs / AlGaAs DBR or a dielectric DBR; the predetermined time is in the range of 0.001 microseconds to 10 seconds, and the response time is in the range of 1 picosecond to 30 microseconds; the energy output of the pulses ranges from 0.001 millijoules to 1 megajoule; Laser generation system.

3. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, the DBR is coupled to an acoustic wave in the range of 0.01 MHz to 10 GHz, and the diffraction angle is varied in the range of 0.00001 degrees to 10 degrees; The laser beam is characterized as single-mode or multi-mode. Laser generation system.

4. 3. The laser generation system of claim 2, The dielectric DBR comprises at least HfO ２ , SiO ２ , Ta ２ O ５ , TeO ２ , glass, quartz, Ge, PbMO ４ , LiNbO ３ , K.D.P., K.H. ２ P.O. ４ , BBO, BTO, or a combination thereof; Laser generation system.

5. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, The diffraction of the laser beam is caused by an Acoustic Optical Modulator (AOM). Laser generation system.

6. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, Diffraction of the laser beam is caused by acoustic waves generated by a piezo transducer. Laser generation system.

7. 7. The laser generation system of claim 6, The piezoelectric transducer is disposed on a partial area or the entire back surface of the DBR mirror. Laser generation system.

8. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, The laser beam has an oscillation wavelength of 1020 nm to 1070 nm. Laser generation system.

9. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, the DBR mirror is composed of at least a III-nitride material, a III-V material, or a combination thereof; The interaction is selected from diffraction, transmission, reflection, or any combination thereof. Laser generation system.

10. 10. The laser generation system of claim 9, the III-V nitride material and the III-V material are provided in a piezoelectric transducer; Laser generation system.

11. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, The optical path changing device includes at least GaAs and is characterized as a transducer. Laser generation system.

12. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, The optical path changing device includes at least GaAs having a (111) crystal orientation and is characterized as a transducer. Laser generation system.

13. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, The optical path changing device has at least Ta ２ O ５ / SiO ２ or HfO ２ / Consists of a DBR mirror, Laser generation system.

14. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, The optical path changing device is formed on a GaAs transducer. ２ O ５ / SiO ２ DBR or HfO ２ / Consists of a DBR mirror, Laser generation system.

15. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, The wavelength of the laser beam output from the OEC is converted from infrared (IR, ω) to green (2ω) or ultraviolet (UV, 3ω) through a nonlinear crystal, where ω is the frequency of the infrared laser source. Laser generation system.

16. 10. The laser generation system of claim 1, the laser beam from the OEC irradiates fuel in a fusion reactor chamber; the first optical path is within the OEC, and the second optical path is formed by transmitting through the DBR mirror; Laser generation system.

17. 16. The laser generation system of claim 15, the IR, green, or UV laser beam is directed at fuel in a fusion reactor; the first optical path is continuous with the second optical path; Laser generation system.

18. 1. A method for interacting laser beams, comprising: generating an acoustic wave in an interior region of a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) mirror; applying an acoustic wave to the back side of the DBR mirror and applying an incident laser beam to the front side of the DBR mirror; and reflecting the laser beam by the DBR mirror and simultaneously diffracting the reflected laser beam by the acoustic wave to generate a diffracted laser beam; A method of laser beam interaction, including:

19. 20. A laser beam interaction method according to claim 18, comprising: the diffracted laser beam has an angle of 0.00001 degrees to 10 degrees with respect to the incident laser beam; How laser beams interact.

20. 20. A laser beam interaction method according to claim 18, comprising: The DBR mirror is composed of GaAs / AlGaAs or a dielectric DBR. How laser beams interact.

21. 20. A laser beam interaction method according to claim 18, comprising: 50% to 99% of the incident laser beam is diffracted; How laser beams interact.

22. 20. A laser beam interaction method according to claim 18, comprising: the DBR mirror comprises a GaAs / AlGaAs DBR mirror formed on a GaAs substrate or template; The GaAs is characterized as a transducer that generates acoustic waves. How laser beams interact.

23. 20. A laser beam interaction method according to claim 18, comprising: the DBR mirror includes a piezo transducer disposed on a back surface of the DBR mirror; How laser beams interact.

24. 20. A laser beam interaction method according to claim 18, comprising: The laser beam has an oscillation wavelength of 100 nm to 3000 nm. How laser beams interact.

25. 20. A laser beam interaction method according to claim 18, comprising: The DBR mirror is made of at least Ta ２ O ５ / SiO ２ , HfO ２ / SiO ２ or a dielectric DBR mirror; How laser beams interact.

26. 20. A laser beam interaction method according to claim 18, comprising: The DBR mirror is formed on a GaAs transducer. ２ O ５ / SiO ２ , HfO ２ / SiO ２ , or composed of a dielectric DBR; How laser beams interact.

27. 1. A laser system comprising: a light source configured to generate a laser; an optical intensifier cavity coupled to the light source and configured to increase the intensity of the laser, the optical intensifier cavity comprising at least one pair of mirrors; a cavity damper coupled to the optical enhancement cavity; an acoustic wave coupled to the cavity damper that diffracts, reflects, or interacts with a laser; A laser system comprising:

28. 28. The laser system of claim 27, The laser is focused in a first region where the intensity of the acoustic wave is higher than in a second region. Laser system.

29. 28. The laser system of claim 27, The laser is focused within 10 mm of the piezoelectric transducer. Laser system.

30. 28. The laser system of claim 27, The laser is generated using two piezo transducers with piezo crystals configured to have a gap of less than 10 mm. Laser system.

31. 28. The laser system of claim 27, the laser beam is focused within the gap so that it is diffracted by the acoustic wave; Laser system.

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