Laser Resonator Segmented Paths for Damage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laser resonators face challenges in maintaining single transverse mode oscillation while preventing optical damage to components due to high-intensity light, as increasing beam diameter to reduce damage intensity complicates achieving uniform intensity distribution and selecting the correct transverse mode.

Innovation Solution

A laser resonator design featuring a pair of optical elements with a focused beam waist and approximately parallel light paths, where the laser medium is placed in the parallel light path, allowing adjustable beam diameter and optical length to prevent optical damage and maintain single transverse mode oscillation, using concave and planar mirrors with specific curvature settings to control beam diameter and intensity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the beam diameter is increased to reduce light intensity per unit area and prevent optical damage, then the risk of optical element damage is reduced, but it becomes difficult to obtain a single transverse mode laser output with uniform intensity distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical damage to elementsVSAvoidintensity distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The resonator is divided into two distinct optical paths: a first optical path with a focused beam waist for generating high-intensity light, and a second optical path with approximately parallel light for the laser medium. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function, preventing optical damage while maintaining intensity distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a conventional single optical path to a two-path optical configuration. By adding the dimensional aspect of path separation, the system can simultaneously achieve high beam diameter (for damage prevention) and proper mode control (for uniform intensity distribution) in different spatial dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If the beam diameter is increased to decrease light intensity per unit area, then the light intensity on optical components is reduced, but the single transverse mode oscillation becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight intensity per unit areaVSAvoidtransverse mode stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the resonator are assigned different optical properties: the first optical path has a focused beam waist configuration for high intensity generation, while the second optical path has an expanded beam configuration for low intensity and uniform distribution. Each local region is optimized for its specific quality requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This design effectively prevents optical damage and maintains stable single transverse mode oscillation, allowing for high laser output without component damage, while ensuring the beam diameter can be adjusted to optimize performance and manufacturing feasibility.

Implementation Method 1

induced emission light generated from the laser medium reciprocates or circles in a path formed by the first optical path and the second optical path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInduced emission: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a pair of optical elements forming a first optical path having a focused beam waist

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 3

one or more mirrors forming a second optical path of approximately parallel light connected to the first optical path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10763634B2Laser resonator, and method of designing laser resonator

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 UNIVERSITY OF ELECTRO-COMMUNICATIONS

AI summary

A laser resonator includes a pair of optical elements forming a first optical path having a focused beam waist, one or more mirrors forming a second optical path of approximately parallel light connected to the first optical path, and a laser medium arranged in the second optical path. Induced emission light generated from the laser medium reciprocates or circles in a path formed by the first optical path and the second optical path. A distance between the pair of optical elements is adjustable, and a beam diameter at the second optical path is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the pair of optical elements.