Q-Switch Resonator for High-Peak Optical Pulse Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Short-excitation-life lasers, such as semiconductor lasers, are not suitable for normal Q-switch pulse oscillation and face challenges in extracting optical pulses with high peak power due to light damage concerns in the laser medium.
Innovation Solution
A Q-switch resonator configuration using at least two mirrors to accumulate power from a continuous wave or intermittent continuous wave, where a switching element lowers the Q factor from a high to a low level to output an optical pulse, avoiding the use of a gain medium to prevent light damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a short-excitation-life laser (e.g., semiconductor laser) is used for Q-switch pulse oscillation, then the device can be compact and low-cost, but it cannot sufficiently store energy and is unsuitable for normal Q-switch operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional parts: a continuous-wave laser source (which can be a compact semiconductor laser) and a separate optical resonator with Q-switching capability. The laser medium generates continuous light, while the resonator accumulates and releases it as high-peak-power pulses, separating the energy storage function from the light generation function.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical resonator acts as an intermediary between the continuous-wave laser source and the output pulse. The resonator receives continuous light, accumulates energy through multiple passes, and releases it as a high-peak-power pulse when the Q factor is switched, enabling short-excitation-life lasers to produce Q-switched pulses.
2Power
If high peak power optical pulses are extracted from a laser medium, then the desired pulse output is achieved, but light damage to the laser medium occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The high-peak-power pulse extraction process is extracted from the laser medium and transferred to the optical resonator. The laser medium only needs to provide continuous-wave light at lower intensity, while the resonator performs the energy accumulation and pulse release, preventing light damage to the laser medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical resonator serves as a mediator that protects the laser medium from high-intensity damage. It receives low-intensity continuous light from the laser medium, accumulates energy safely, and generates high-peak-power pulses without exposing the laser medium to damaging light intensities.
3Productivity
If a separate optical resonator is used to accumulate power from a continuous wave source, then efficient pulse extraction is enabled, but the device complexity increases compared to conventional Q-switch lasers
Solution Approach 1:
The optical resonator is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the energy storage medium and the pulse generation mechanism. By integrating the Q-switching functionality into the resonator structure itself, the system achieves efficient pulse extraction without requiring additional separate components 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
This configuration enables efficient extraction of optical pulses with high peak power while minimizing light damage to the laser medium, using a separate optical resonator to accumulate and release energy effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an optical resonator formed of at least two mirrors, and configured to accumulate power of a continuous wave or an intermittent continuous wave incident from an outside
Implementation Method 2
When the power accumulated in the optical resonator increases to a predetermined level, the switching element outputs an optical pulse by lowering a Q factor from a first level to a second level lower than the first level
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(C)
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
AI summary
Provided is a Q switch resonator that achieves efficient pulse extraction, and a pulse generator using the Q switch resonator. The Q switch resonator includes an optical resonator formed of at least two mirrors and configured to accumulate power of a continuous wave or an intermittent continuous wave incident from the outside, and a switching element provided in the optical resonator, wherein, when the power accumulated in the optical resonator increases to a predetermined level, the switching element outputs an optical pulse by lowering a Q factor from a first level to a second level lower than the first level.