Laser Oscillator Space Filter Structure for Pulse Noise Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser oscillators suffer from noise in the pulse waveform of output laser light, which affects the quality of the laser and can lead to deteriorated processing quality in applications such as drilling printed circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A laser oscillator design featuring a cylindrical outer electrode and an inner electrode forming a discharge chamber filled with a laser medium, with first and second resonator mirrors and a support member that includes space filter portions with opening widths smaller than the beam diameter of the laser light, effectively attenuating long-wavelength noise components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional laser oscillator structure is used, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but noise occurs in the pulse waveform of output laser light which deteriorates processing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into multiple sections: a support section for holding the inner electrode and a space filter section with an opening portion. This segmentation allows the support member to simultaneously provide mechanical support and optical filtering functions, reducing noise in the laser output without requiring additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed to perform dual functions: mechanically supporting the inner electrode and optically filtering the laser beam through its opening portion. By making the support member multi-functional, the patent reduces overall device complexity while improving processing quality through noise reduction.
2Reliability
If the opening width of the support member is larger than the beam diameter, then the laser light passes freely, but long-wavelength noise components are not attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
The opening portion of the support member has a specific local dimension (opening width) that is optimized to be smaller than the beam diameter. This local quality control at the opening portion enables selective attenuation of long-wavelength noise components while allowing the main laser beam to pass through, thereby improving both noise attenuation and beam quality.
3Reliability
If the opening width of the support member is smaller than the beam diameter, then long-wavelength noise components are attenuated, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the noise filtering function into the support member itself by creating an opening portion with controlled dimensions. Instead of adding a separate filtering component, the support member is designed to combine both support and filtering functions, reducing overall device complexity while achieving effective noise attenuation.
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 effectively attenuates long-wavelength noise components in the laser light, resulting in high-quality laser output with reduced waveform deformation, which improves processing quality in applications like drilling printed circuit boards.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the opening portion has an opening width smaller than a beam diameter of the laser light emitted from the discharge chamber and serves as a space filter portion
Implementation Method 2
a first resonator mirror provided on a first end side of the outer electrode and the inner electrode and configured to reflect laser light emitted from the discharge chamber, a second resonator mirror provided on a second end side of the outer electrode and the inner electrode and configured to reflect the laser light between the second resonator mirror and the first resonator mirror
Data Source
AI summary
A laser oscillator includes an outer electrode, an inner electrode forming a discharge chamber between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, a first resonator mirror provided on a first end side of the outer electrode and the inner electrode, a second resonator mirror provided on a second end side of the outer electrode and the inner electrode and configured to reflect the laser light between the second resonator mirror and the first resonator mirror, and a support member configured to support the inner electrode. The support member has an opening portion through which the laser light passes at a position corresponding to the discharge chamber, and at least a part of the opening portion has an opening width smaller than a beam diameter of the laser light emitted from the discharge chamber and serves as a space filter portion.