GB2569856A - Laser Device - Google Patents

Laser Device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2569856A
GB2569856A GB1817386.4A GB201817386A GB2569856A GB 2569856 A GB2569856 A GB 2569856A GB 201817386 A GB201817386 A GB 201817386A GB 2569856 A GB2569856 A GB 2569856A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
laser
dielectric layer
laser device
coating
substrate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1817386.4A
Other versions
GB2569856B (en
GB201817386D0 (en
Inventor
Huebner Martin
Gross Torsten
Becker Hans-Willy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hensoldt Optronics GmbH
Original Assignee
Hensoldt Optronics GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hensoldt Optronics GmbH filed Critical Hensoldt Optronics GmbH
Publication of GB201817386D0 publication Critical patent/GB201817386D0/en
Publication of GB2569856A publication Critical patent/GB2569856A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2569856B publication Critical patent/GB2569856B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/20Filters
    • G02B5/28Interference filters
    • G02B5/281Interference filters designed for the infrared light
    • G02B5/282Interference filters designed for the infrared light reflecting for infrared and transparent for visible light, e.g. heat reflectors, laser protection
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/20Filters
    • G02B5/28Interference filters
    • G02B5/285Interference filters comprising deposited thin solid films
    • G02B5/288Interference filters comprising deposited thin solid films comprising at least one thin film resonant cavity, e.g. in bandpass filters
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/08Mirrors
    • G02B5/0816Multilayer mirrors, i.e. having two or more reflecting layers
    • G02B5/085Multilayer mirrors, i.e. having two or more reflecting layers at least one of the reflecting layers comprising metal
    • G02B5/0858Multilayer mirrors, i.e. having two or more reflecting layers at least one of the reflecting layers comprising metal the reflecting layers comprising a single metallic layer with one or more dielectric layers
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/20Filters
    • G02B5/28Interference filters
    • G02B5/285Interference filters comprising deposited thin solid films
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01SDEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
    • H01S3/00Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
    • H01S3/005Optical devices external to the laser cavity, specially adapted for lasers, e.g. for homogenisation of the beam or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping
    • H01S3/0078Frequency filtering
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01SDEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
    • H01S3/00Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
    • H01S3/02Constructional details
    • H01S3/03Constructional details of gas laser discharge tubes
    • H01S3/034Optical devices within, or forming part of, the tube, e.g. windows, mirrors

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
  • Optical Filters (AREA)

Abstract

A laser device includes a laser transmitting unit which emits laser radiation in a useful wavelength range and a receiving unit. It also has transmitting / receiving optical units for the laser radiation, an entry window 1, in the region of an entry pupil of the transmitting / receiving optical units with an approximately transparent substrate. The entry window has at least one first coating 3 on a first main surface 2a of the substrate 2 with at least one thin reflective metal layer 3a, at least one first dielectric layer 3b, and at least one second dielectric layer 3c. The thin metal layer 3a is arranged between the at least one first dielectric layer 3b and the at least one second dielectric layer 3c. The at least one first dielectric layer 3b and the at least one second dielectric layer 3c are designed so that they form an interference filter which, in connection with the at least one thin metal layer 3a, essentially only transmits the laser radiation in the useful wavelength range. The useful wavelength range may be 1064nm. The laser device may be a laser communication terminal in particular for a satellite or a laser distance meter.

Description

The invention relates to a laser device according to the preamble of Claim 1.
Laser devices known from practice are, for example, laser distance meters or laser communication terminals, in particular for satellites.
It is desirable to protect such laser devices from interfering electromagnetic radiation from the environment, wherein electromagnetic radiation in the useful wavelength range of the laser is to be able to pass unobstructed, however.
This requirement exists in particular in the case of the transmitter and receiver optical units and/or transmitter and receiver telescopes in the laser devices .
Above all in satellite-based laser communication terminals, a substantial radiometric insulation of the interior of the high-performance optical units and/or telescopes is desired, which effectively prevents both heating of the telescope in the case of direct solar irradiation in the orbit, and also cooling of the facilities in an orientation toward the universal background radiation of 3 K. Otherwise, in the event of temporary solar incident radiation, the high-performance optical units which are typically used are subject to substantial inhomogeneous thermal load profiles, which either substantially restrict the selection of the materials to be used for the telescope structure or complicate and make more costly the design of other types of countermeasures. The largest possible wavelength range is to be shielded. Known entry windows in the entry pupils of such optical units do have reflective dielectric coatings, which have a very high reflectivity in the case of undesired radiation and have the highest possible transmission at useful wavelengths. However, these generally have the disadvantage that they already become transparent again in the mid-infrared range, i.e., no longer offer reflection.
The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a laser device of the type mentioned at the outset which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular, the transmitting and/or receiving optical units thereof are to offer a high transmission in the useful wavelength range of the laser radiation, on the one hand, and at the same time are to provide a radiation insulation over the complete remaining electromagnetic spectral range, in particular in the near-infrared, mid-infrared, and far-infrared range up into the radio frequency range, on the other hand.
This object is achieved according to the invention by a laser device having the features mentioned in Claim 1, at least comprising:
a laser transmitting unit, which is configured to emit laser radiation in a useful wavelength range,
- a receiver unit, a transmitting optical unit and/or a receiving optical unit for the laser radiation,
- an entry window, which is arranged in the region of an entry pupil of the transmitting optical unit and/or the receiving optical unit and which has an at least approximately transparent substrate, and
- at least one first coating arranged on a first main surface of the substrate having at least one thin reflective metal layer, at least one first dielectric layer, and at least one second dielectric layer, wherein the thin metal layer is arranged between the at least one first dielectric layer and the at least one second dielectric layer, and wherein the at least one first dielectric layer and the at least one second dielectric layer are designed such that they form an interference filter which, in connection with the at least one thin metal layer, essentially only transmits the laser radiation in the useful wavelength range.
A laser device is provided by the measures according to the invention, in which the transmitting optical unit and/or the receiving optical unit and/or the transmitter/receiver telescope is substantially radiometrically insulated in the interior, which effectively prevents both heating of the telescope in the event of direct solar irradiation, for example, in orbit, and also cooling in the event of an orientation of the telescope toward the universal background radiation of 3 K. Only the laser radiation in the useful wavelength range is transmitted. The optical and/or mechanical structure of the high-performance optical units typically used in laser devices, for example, a laser communication terminal or a laser distance meter, is therefore not subject, in the event of temporary solar incident radiation, to the otherwise existing substantially inhomogeneous thermal load profiles, which either substantially restrict the selection of the materials to be used for the telescope structure or complicate and make more costly the design of other types of countermeasures. The laser device can be embodied as a laser communication terminal, in particular for a satellite, or as a laser distance meter .
The at least one thin reflective metal layer of the at least one first coating would radiometrically already reflect all electromagnetic radiation in principle. This would also be the case for gigahertz radiation for radiofrequency communication. Because the thin reflective metal layer is more or less stacked between dielectric coatings, however, a very high reflectivity can be achieved in the undesired wavelength range, i.e., the wavelength range to be insulated - with simultaneous good transmission in the useful wavelength range. Because the reflective metal layer is accordingly embodied thin and it is enclosed with a specific design made of dielectric layers, a type of etalon effect is achieved and/or an interference filter is provided. Solely the laser radiation in the useful wavelength range fulfils the resonance condition within a narrow wavelength range, and therefore a minimal absorption and a minimal reflection of the metal layer are achieved for the useful wavelength. An insulating effect of the metal layer is maintained for essentially all other wavelengths .
The substrate can be at least approximately or completely transparent or can have a transmission of at least 80% in the case of electromagnetic radiation in an optical wavelength range from approximately 250 nm to approximately 2.5 pm.
The substrate can include sapphire, yttrium-aluminium garnet (YAG), or crystalline silicon dioxide (aSiCp) .
The at least transmissivity, electromagnetic range of the reflectivity, electromagnetic electromagnetic wavelength range approximately 20 pm.
one first coating in particular radiation in the laser radiation of >
useful and/or in particular of radiation in the spectrum, from wavelength a high 95% for in particular in approximately 500 remaining an optical nm to
It is very advantageous if the thin metal layer of the at least one first coating includes silver. Essentially all electromagnetic radiation can already be reflected by the use of a silver layer as the thin metal layer.
The at least one thin metal layer of the at least one
first coating can have a layer thickness of
approximately 25 nm.
The substrate can have a thickness of, for example, 5
mm.
The at least one first dielectric layer and/or the at
least one second dielectric layer of the at least one first coating can comprise a sequence of multiple, in particular alternating, different dielectric partial layers. The first and second dielectric layers can comprise a sequence of partial layers made of different materials having different indices of refraction, in order to implement the desired transmission and/or reflection behaviour.
The dielectric partial layers can in particular alternately include niobium oxide and silicon dioxide or in particular alternately tantalum oxide and silicon dioxide .
The useful wavelength of the laser radiation can be approximately 1064 nm.
The at least one first coating on the first main surface of the substrate can face toward an interior of the laser device. The entry window can be designed as a whole as a plane-parallel plate.
A second dielectric coating, which is in particular highly reflective in the visual wavelength range and highly transmissive at the useful wavelength range, can be provided on a second main surface of the substrate opposite to the first main surface of the substrate.
Advantageous embodiments and refinements of the invention result from the dependent claims.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described hereafter in principle on the basis of the drawing.
The single figure of the drawing shows a schematic illustration of a layer structure of an entry window of a transmitting optical unit or receiving optical unit of a laser device according to the invention.
A laser device is proposed according to the invention which at least comprises:
a laser transmitting unit, which is configured to emit laser radiation in a useful wavelength range,
- a receiver unit, a transmitting optical unit and/or a receiving optical unit for the laser radiation, and an entry window 1 shown in the figure, which is arranged in the region of an entry pupil of the transmitting optical unit and/or the receiving optical unit and which has an at least approximately transparent substrate 2. At least one first coating 3 arranged on a first main surface 2a of the substrate 2 has at least one thin reflective metal layer 3a, at least one first dielectric layer 3b, and at least one second dielectric layer 3c. The thin metal layer 3a is arranged between the at least one first dielectric layer 3b and the at least one second dielectric layer 3c. The at least one first dielectric layer 3b and the at least one second dielectric layer 3c are designed such that they form an interference filter which, in connection with the at least one thin metal layer 3a, essentially only transmits the laser radiation in the useful wavelength range .
The right region of the figure shows the layer structure of the entry window 1 schematically and greatly enlarged as a sectional view.
Arrows 4a and 4b indicate that solely laser radiation in the useful wavelength is to be transmitted at the entry window 1 and the remaining radiation of the entire electromagnetic spectrum from approximately 500 nm to approximately 20 pm is to be reflected.
As is apparent from the figure, a second dielectric coating 5, which is in particular highly reflective in the visual wavelength range and highly transmissive at the useful wavelength can be provided on a second main surface 2b of the substrate 2 opposite to the first main surface 2a of the substrate 2.
The substrate 2 can be at least approximately or completely transparent in the case of electromagnetic radiation in an optical wavelength range from approximately 250 nm to approximately 2.5 pm, in particular the substrate can have a transmission of at least 80%.
yttrium-aluminium dioxide (aSiCt) .
The substrate can include sapphire, or crystalline silicon
The at least transmissivity, electromagnetic range of the reflectivity, electromagnetic electromagnetic wavelength range approximately 20 pm.
one first coating 3 in particular of radiation in the can have a high > 95%, for the in laser radiation particular of radiation in and/or the spectrum, in particular in from approximately wavelength a high 95%, for remaining an optical
0 nm t o
- 8 The at least one thin metal layer 3a of the at least one first coating 3 can be embodied as a silver layer or can include silver.
Furthermore, the at least one thin metal layer 3a of the at least one first coating 3 can have a layer thickness of approximately 25 nm.
The at least one first dielectric layer 3b and/or the at least one second dielectric layer 3c of the at least one first coating 3 can comprise a sequence of multiple, in particular alternating different dielectric partial layers (not shown in greater include, for example, alternately niobium oxide and silicon dioxide or alternately tantalum oxide and silicon dioxide.
The useful wavelength of the laser radiation can be, for example, 1064 nm.
The at least one first coating on the first main surface 2a of the substrate 2 can face toward an interior (not shown in greater the laser device .
The laser device according to the invention can be embodied as a laser communication terminal, in particular for a satellite, or as a laser distance meter .
List of reference signs:
1 entry window
2 substrate
5 2a first main surface of the substrate
2b second main surface of the substrate
3 first coating
3a thin metal layer
3b first dielectric layer
10 3c second dielectric layer
4a, 4b arrows
5 second coating
1. Laser device, at least comprising:
a laser transmitting unit, which is configured to emit laser radiation in a useful wavelength range,
- a receiver unit,
Patent Claims:
a transmitting optical unit and/or a receiving optical unit for the laser radiation,
- an entry window (1), which is arranged in the region of an entry pupil of the transmitting optical unit and/or the receiving optical unit and which has an at least approximately transparent substrate (2), characterized by:
at least one first coating (3) the substrate arranged on a (2) having at first main least
one thin reflective metal layer (3 a) , at least one
first dielectric layer (3b) , and at least one second
dielectric layer (3c) , whe rein the thin metal layer
(3a) is arranged between the at least one first
dielectric layer (3b) and the at least one second
dielectric layer (3c) , and wherein the at least one
first dielectric layer (3b) and the at least one second
dielectric layer they form (3c) are designed such that an interference filter which, in connection with the at least one thin metal layer (3a), essentially only transmits the laser radiation in the useful wavelength range .
2. Laser device according to Claim
1, wherein the substrate (2) has a transmission of at case of electromagnetic radiation in an optical wavelength range from approximately 250 nm to approximately 2.5 pm.
3. Laser device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the substrate (2) includes sapphire, yttrium-aluminium garnet YAG, or crystalline silicon dioxide aSiCp.
4. Laser device the at least transmissivity, electromagnetic range of the reflectivity, electromagnetic electromagnetic wavelength range approximately 20 pm.
according to Claim 1, one first coating in particular o) radiation in the i laser radiation in useful particular of radiation in spectrum, from
5. Laser device according wherein the at least one and/or the in particular approximately or 3, wherein has a high 95%, for wavelength a high 95%, for remaining optical nm to in an
500 to any one of thin metal layer (3a) at least one first coating (3) includes silver.

Claims (1)

  1. 6. Laser device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one thin metal layer (3a) of the at least one first coating (3) has a layer thickness of approximately 25 nm.
    7. Laser device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one first dielectric layer (3b) and/or the at least one second dielectric layer (3c) of the at least one first coating (3) comprises a sequence of multiple, in particular alternating different
    dielectric partial layers . 8. Laser device according to Claim 7, wherein the dielectric partial layers include niobium oxide and silicon dioxide or tantalum oxide and silicon dioxide .
    9. Laser device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the useful wavelength of the laser radiation is 1064 nm.
    10. Laser device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one first coating (3) on the first main surface (2a) of the substrate (2) faces toward an interior of the laser device.
    11. Laser device according to any one of Claims 1 to
    5 10, wherein a second, in particular dielectric coating (5), which is in particular highly reflective in the visual wavelength range and highly transmissive at the useful wavelength, is provided on a second main surface (2b) of the substrate (2) opposite to the first main 10 surface (2a) of the substrate (2).
    12. Laser device according to any one of Claims 1 to
    11, which is embodied as a laser communication terminal, in particular for a satellite, or as a laser 15 distance meter.
GB1817386.4A 2017-11-15 2018-10-25 Laser Device Active GB2569856B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102017126832.4A DE102017126832B4 (en) 2017-11-15 2017-11-15 Laser device

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201817386D0 GB201817386D0 (en) 2018-12-12
GB2569856A true GB2569856A (en) 2019-07-03
GB2569856B GB2569856B (en) 2021-11-17

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Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0031278A1 (en) * 1979-12-19 1981-07-01 ETAT-FRANCAIS représenté par le Délégué Général pour l' Armement Optical interference filter for the protection against infrared radiations, and its application
JPS6177018A (en) * 1984-09-25 1986-04-19 Canon Inc Filter
JPH02264528A (en) * 1989-04-04 1990-10-29 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Transmitter-receiver for optical communication between satellites
US6295151B1 (en) * 1997-05-13 2001-09-25 Nec Corporation Optical transmission and receiving equipment
WO2010051231A1 (en) * 2008-10-31 2010-05-06 Cpfilms, Inc. Variable transmission composite interference filter
US20150247961A1 (en) * 2012-09-21 2015-09-03 Saint-Gobain Glass France Substrate having a multilayer with thermal properties and an absorbing layer
US20160002100A1 (en) * 2013-02-20 2016-01-07 Saint-Gobain Glass France Pane with thermal radiation reflecting coating
WO2016158461A1 (en) * 2015-03-27 2016-10-06 Jsr株式会社 Optical filter and device using optical filter
US20170248739A1 (en) * 2014-12-26 2017-08-31 Asahi Glass Company, Limited Optical filter and imaging apparatus

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1450499A3 (en) 1998-06-10 2005-06-01 LSA, Inc. Laser communication system and corresponding method

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0031278A1 (en) * 1979-12-19 1981-07-01 ETAT-FRANCAIS représenté par le Délégué Général pour l' Armement Optical interference filter for the protection against infrared radiations, and its application
JPS6177018A (en) * 1984-09-25 1986-04-19 Canon Inc Filter
JPH02264528A (en) * 1989-04-04 1990-10-29 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Transmitter-receiver for optical communication between satellites
US6295151B1 (en) * 1997-05-13 2001-09-25 Nec Corporation Optical transmission and receiving equipment
WO2010051231A1 (en) * 2008-10-31 2010-05-06 Cpfilms, Inc. Variable transmission composite interference filter
US20150247961A1 (en) * 2012-09-21 2015-09-03 Saint-Gobain Glass France Substrate having a multilayer with thermal properties and an absorbing layer
US20160002100A1 (en) * 2013-02-20 2016-01-07 Saint-Gobain Glass France Pane with thermal radiation reflecting coating
US20170248739A1 (en) * 2014-12-26 2017-08-31 Asahi Glass Company, Limited Optical filter and imaging apparatus
WO2016158461A1 (en) * 2015-03-27 2016-10-06 Jsr株式会社 Optical filter and device using optical filter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2569856B (en) 2021-11-17
DE102017126832A1 (en) 2019-05-16
GB201817386D0 (en) 2018-12-12
DE102017126832B4 (en) 2021-07-29

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