Monolithic Side-Pumped Solid-State Laser Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current side-pumped solid-state lasers face limitations in generating high power laser pulses with long duration and high repetition rate, are expensive to produce, and are not robust against shock and vibration, making them unsuitable for medical applications requiring efficient tissue ablation.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic, side-pumped solid-state laser with a laser resonator structure featuring a low gain medium, a conductive cooler, and a reflector to optimize pump light distribution and beam quality, using a small diameter laser rod to achieve high intensity and efficiency, and symmetric cooling to maintain thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a zig-zag optical path is used in side-pumped slab geometry, then pulse duration is increased, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex zig-zag optical path from the system and replaces it with a straight-through slab geometry. The essential function of increasing pulse duration is achieved through a different mechanism - using a longer interaction length in the gain medium rather than a folded optical path, thereby eliminating manufacturing complexity while maintaining the desired pulse characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a zig-zag path to increase interaction length, the patent inverts the approach by using a straight path with increased slab length. This reverses the conventional wisdom that folded paths are necessary for extended interaction, demonstrating that a simple linear geometry can achieve the same effect more manufacturable
2Power
If Q-switched laser configuration is used, then pulse energy is limited, but pulse duration is very short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using a straight-through slab geometry with optimized pump light distribution, which enables longer pulse durations compared to Q-switched configurations. This parameter change in the optical path geometry allows for extended pulse widths while maintaining high pulse energy through improved pump efficiency and longer interaction length
3Power
If monolithic side-pumped design is used, then average power is limited, but thermal effects arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by using a straight-through slab geometry that enables more uniform pump light distribution across the gain medium. This localized improvement in pump uniformity reduces hot spots and thermal gradients, allowing higher average power operation with reduced thermal effects compared to traditional zig-zag or rod geometries
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 enables the generation of high power laser pulses with improved beam quality and efficiency, reducing production costs and enhancing robustness against environmental changes, making it suitable for medical applications such as tissue ablation with reduced thermal damage.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a conductive cooler comprising contact faces contacting the laser gain medium
Implementation Method 2
comprising a reflector arranged opposite to the side face with respect to the longitudinal axis L
Implementation Method 3
a laser resonator structure comprised of a laser gain medium having a longitudinal axis L
Data Source
Figure 1~1e
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A monolithic, side pumped solid-state laser (1) comprising a laser resonator structure (3) comprised of a laser gain medium (2) having a longitudinal axis (L), wherein the laser resonator structure (3) comprises end faces (4) forming a linear optical path resonant cavity there between, at least one of the end faces (4) comprising at least partially reflecting laser mirrors (4a, 4b) in particular deposited thereon, the laser gain medium (2) comprising a side face (2a) for receiving pump light (5a) of a pump source (5), wherein the pump light (5a) is generated by a diode laser (5), and comprising a conductive cooler (6) comprising contact faces (6c) contacting the laser gain medium (2), and comprising a reflector (7) arranged opposite to the side face (2a) with respect to the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the laser gain medium (2) is a low gain material.