Laser Resonator Assembly Alignment Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser resonator designs face challenges in maintaining precise angular alignment of mirrors over the laser's operating lifetime and temperature range, especially when the gain element and saturable absorber are small, which affects the efficiency and stability of high peak power pulse generation.
Innovation Solution
A laser resonator assembly design that includes a gain element and an output coupler secured by frames, with an adjustment member for precise angular alignment, allowing for permanent affixing and efficient heat dissipation using high thermal conductivity materials, enabling low-cost manufacturing and improved stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the gain element and output coupler are small in size, then the laser can be compact and low-cost, but maintaining precise angular alignment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator components are divided into separate assemblies (gain element assembly and output coupler assembly), each with its own frame structure. This segmentation allows independent alignment adjustment of each assembly before final integration, making it easier to achieve precise angular alignment despite small component sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
An adjustment member is introduced as an intermediary component between the gain element assembly and output coupler assembly. This adjustment member provides mechanical means for fine-tuning the angular alignment during assembly, enabling precise alignment to be achieved and maintained even with small, compact components.
2Manufacturing precision
If the angular alignment is adjusted precisely, then the laser performance is improved, but the alignment must be maintained over the operating lifetime and temperature range
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member provides dynamic adjustability during the assembly process, allowing precise angular alignment to be achieved. Once aligned, the components can be permanently affixed in this adjusted position, ensuring the alignment is maintained reliably over the operating lifetime and temperature range.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular alignment is adjusted and optimized during the assembly process before final permanent affixing. This preliminary adjustment ensures that the optimal alignment is established before the components are fixed in place, guaranteeing both precise performance and long-term stability.
3Temperature
If the laser is packaged for heat removal, then the operating stability is improved, but the alignment may be affected by thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The separate frame structures for the gain element and output coupler allow independent thermal management. Each assembly can be packaged and cooled separately, reducing thermal interference between components that could otherwise cause differential expansion and misalignment.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple resonator design is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the alignment adjustment becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member serves as a simple intermediary component that provides alignment adjustment capability without adding significant complexity to the overall design. This allows the resonator to maintain a simple, low-cost structure while still enabling precise angular alignment during assembly.
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 solution ensures precise angular alignment and efficient heat dissipation, enhancing the stability and efficiency of high peak power pulse generation in laser resonators, particularly suitable for low-cost manufacturing and applications like LIDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
A first end of the resonator is formed by a highly reflective coating at a lasing wavelength on the first surface of the gain element
Implementation Method 2
A second end of the resonator is formed by a partially transmitting optical coating on the first or second surface of the output coupler
Implementation Method 3
The gain element frame secures the gain element, and an output coupler frame secures the output coupler... efficient heat dissipation using high thermal conductivity materials
Data Source
AI summary
A laser resonator assembly and a method of assembly of the laser resonator assembly are described. The laser resonator assembly has a gain element and an output coupler that are placed in a gain element frame and output coupler frame, respectively. The output coupler may also be a saturable absorber element so that the laser resonator assembly emits Q-switched pulses. The frames provide heat dissipation and can be easily aligned and permanently affixed in an appropriate alignment. A laser using the laser resonator assembly can be assembled in a low-cost manner.