Adjustable Optical Path Length Laser Resonator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional laser systems face manufacturing challenges due to variability in the quality of components, particularly gain mediums, leading to non-functional or underperforming lasers, which increases production time and costs.
Innovation Solution
An optical resonator with an adjustable optical path length is introduced, allowing for reconfiguration to compensate for quality variations in gain mediums, enabling the use of low-cost, compact, and rugged laser systems that maintain performance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional laser systems use fixed optical path length, then manufacturing is simpler, but production yield decreases due to quality variations in gain mediums
Solution Approach 1:
The optical resonator incorporates adjustable optical path length capability, allowing dynamic reconfiguration to compensate for gain medium quality variations. This enables the system to adapt to different component qualities, thereby improving production yield without requiring perfectly consistent gain mediums.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical path length parameter of the resonator to optimize laser performance. By adjusting this parameter, the system can compensate for variations in gain medium quality, allowing acceptable performance to be achieved even with lower-quality components, thus improving production yield.
2Reliability
If high-quality gain mediums are used to ensure laser performance, then performance reliability improves, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By adjusting the optical path length parameter, the system can achieve reliable laser performance with lower-cost gain mediums. The parameter adjustment compensates for quality variations, allowing the use of less expensive components while maintaining performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the use of lower-quality, cheaper gain mediums by compensating for their deficiencies through optical path length adjustment. This principle allows substitution of expensive high-quality components with cheaper alternatives that can be optimized through parameter tuning.
3Productivity
If optical path length is adjusted to compensate for gain medium variations, then production yield improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical resonator is designed with dynamic adjustability of the optical path length, enabling technicians to reconfigure the system during manufacturing to accommodate variations in gain medium quality. This dynamic capability improves production yield by allowing optimization for each specific component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable optical path length improves production yield and reduces manufacturing costs by allowing technicians to optimize laser performance through various configurations, resulting in higher pulse energy at higher repetition rates within a similar volumetric footprint.
Implementation Method 1
The first back mirror surface may include a high reflective coating (e.g., surface). The first back mirror surface and may provide a first optical path length for the optical resonator if the first back mirror surface may be included in the optical path.
Implementation Method 2
The second back mirror surface may include a low reflective coating (e.g., surface). The second back mirror may provide a second optical path length for the optical resonator if the second back mirror surface is included in the optical path.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical resonator may be provided. The optical resonator may comprise a laser system with an adjustable optical path length. The optical resonator may include a back mirror. The back mirror may include a first back mirror surface and a second back mirror surface. The first back mirror surface and may provide a first optical path length for the optical resonator if the first back mirror surface may be included in the optical path. The second back mirror may provide a second optical path length for the optical resonator if the second back mirror surface is included in the optical path.