Laser Pulse Lengthening Apparatus with Variable Delay Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser pulse elongation apparatuses are specific to particular laser systems, making it difficult to adapt them to different systems or applications without significant effort, and they often alter beam properties like intensity and divergence.
Innovation Solution
A beam splitter-based apparatus that divides the laser pulse into partial pulses, which are delayed through a series of reflectors, allowing for adjustable pulse lengthening while maintaining consistent beam properties, and can be easily switched on or off to accommodate various laser systems and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a beam splitter and delay loops are used to lengthen laser pulses, then the pulse duration is extended and peak intensity is reduced, but the apparatus becomes specific to particular laser systems and difficult to adapt to different systems
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed with a universal beam splitter and delay loop configuration that can be adapted to work with different laser systems and manufacturers. The beam splitter is positioned to receive laser beams of varying characteristics, and the delay loops can be adjusted to accommodate different pulse durations and wavelengths, making the apparatus versatile across multiple laser platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow dynamic adaptation to different laser systems. The delay loop path lengths can be modified, and the beam splitter positioning can be adjusted to optimize performance for various laser types and applications, enabling the system to dynamically adapt rather than being fixed for a single laser configuration.
2Duration of action of moving object
If delay loops with multiple reflectors are used to extend pulse duration, then the laser pulse is lengthened, but the beam properties such as intensity and divergence are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The delay loop is divided into multiple discrete path sections with reflectors positioned at specific intervals. This segmentation allows each section to contribute to the overall pulse delay while maintaining controlled beam propagation. The divided structure enables precise control over beam properties at each stage, preventing cumulative degradation of beam quality that would occur in a single undivided delay path.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter serves as an intermediary element that divides the incident laser pulse into multiple partial pulses, which then travel through different path lengths before being recombined. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to extend pulse duration while the beam splitter and reflector arrangement maintains beam property consistency by controlling the propagation path of each partial pulse.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the beam splitter is positioned in the laser beam path to divide pulses, then pulse lengthening is achieved, but the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter, delay loops, and recombination path are integrated into a unified apparatus structure where components share common optical paths and mounting structures. The reflectors are positioned to utilize the same spatial envelope, and the beam splitter serves dual functions of both dividing and later recombining pulses. This merging of functions and components reduces the overall apparatus complexity compared to having separate independent systems for each function.
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
Enables flexible and rapid adaptation of laser pulse duration without altering beam intensity or properties, allowing for direct comparison of measurements with different pulse lengths and maintaining consistent beam profiles across varying pulse widths.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter, by which an incident laser pulse is divided into at least one first partial pulse and a second partial pulse. The at least one first partial pulse is reflected
Implementation Method 2
The delaying travel path section has a plurality of reflectors arranged along a delaying travel path for guiding the first partial pulse
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus for extending or lengthening a laser pulse has a beam splitter. An incident laser pulse is split by the beam splitter into at least one first partial pulse and a second partial pulse. The first partial pulse is conducted through a delaying travel path section with a number of reflectors. The apparatus is characterized by a plurality of the variable delaying travel path sections which produce different length laser beam pulses from a single incident laser pulse.