Star Configuration Optical Resonator for Compact High-Power Lasers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pumped solid-state lasers (SSLs) with active mirror amplifier (AMA) modules face challenges in achieving high average power while maintaining near diffraction-limited beam quality due to transverse temperature gradients, leading to size and weight issues in optical resonators, which hinder scalability and stability.
Innovation Solution
The optical resonator configuration positions optical elements in a circumferential array to create a modified star polygon propagation path with a low angle of incidence, allowing for efficient AMA cooling and higher output power per unit size, achieved by aligning optical elements in a {N, X} star polygon pattern where N and X are relatively prime numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If linear or circular optical resonator configurations are used, then adequate beam quality can be achieved, but the resonator size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a star-shaped polygonal resonator configuration instead of traditional linear or circular layouts. This curved/geometrically optimized path allows the laser beam to traverse a shorter effective distance while maintaining adequate beam quality, thereby reducing resonator size and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional linear resonator paths to a two-dimensional star-shaped polygonal configuration. This dimensional change allows the optical elements to be arranged in a compact geometric pattern that reduces the overall resonator footprint while maintaining sufficient beam propagation path length for quality control.
2Reliability
If linear resonator configuration is used, then beam quality can be maintained, but the cumulative beam propagation path length increases resonator length and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The star-shaped polygonal configuration optimizes the beam propagation path geometry, allowing the laser to traverse multiple reflections along a compact curved path rather than a long linear trajectory. This reduces the cumulative propagation path length while maintaining adequate interaction length for beam quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple optical elements (mirrors, gain media) into a compact star-shaped arrangement where the beam traverses through each element in sequence along the polygonal path. This merging of elements into a geometric configuration reduces the overall resonator length compared to linear arrangements.
3Volume of stationary object
If circular optical resonator is used, then compact size can be achieved, but the angle of incidence at gain medium surface increases making cooling complex
Solution Approach 1:
The star-shaped polygonal configuration optimizes the local angle of incidence at each gain medium surface by carefully designing the polygon geometry. This allows different sections of the resonator to have optimized incidence angles that facilitate simpler cooling arrangements compared to circular configurations where high angles are unavoidable.
Solution Approach 2:
While maintaining the compactness of curved geometries like the circular resonator, the star-shaped polygonal configuration modifies the curvature to create facets with more favorable incidence angles. This geometric modification retains compact volume while reducing cooling system complexity by lowering the angle of incidence at gain medium surfaces.
4Reliability
If larger resonator size is used, then beam quality can be maintained, but optical bench stiffness is lost causing resonator instability
Solution Approach 1:
The star-shaped polygonal configuration provides a compact geometric structure that maintains adequate beam propagation path length without requiring large resonator dimensions. This compact yet sufficient design preserves optical bench stiffness and resonator stability while achieving the necessary beam quality through optimized geometric pathing rather than sheer size.
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 results in a more compact, lightweight, and stable optical resonator that optimizes weight and volume efficiency, enabling higher power SSLs with improved beam quality and easier portability.
Implementation Method 1
provide the laser radiation within the cavity with a propagation path trajectory having a low angle of incidence
Implementation Method 2
optically exciting the dopant ions by pumping them with optical radiation at wavelengths shorter than the laser wavelength
Implementation Method 3
extracts coherent light from an inverted population of neodymium, ytterbium, or other suitable ions doped into the SSL gain medium
Implementation Method 4
The substrate is cooled by a gas or liquid medium that circulates in microchannels embedded in the interior of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An optical resonator has an internal cavity with an output coupler, an end mirror, and one or more active mirror amplifiers (AMAs) that are arranged in a manner to form a laser radiation propagation path within the cavity which substantially has the form of a star polygon trajectory.