JPS6015347Y2 - Laser oscillation device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a laser oscillation device that water-cools an optically excited laser rod.

Generally, in solid-state laser oscillation devices such as ruby lasers, glass lasers, and YAG lasers, these laser rods are optically excited by a flash lamp and reach a high temperature. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the laser rod is water-cooled to reduce the laser oscillation due to the thermal influence of the flash lamp. We try to eliminate changes in the optical properties of the rod as much as possible.

On the other hand, when the laser rod is water-cooled, a problem arises in that if the cooling water adheres to the end face of the laser rod and stains the end face, the oscillation output decreases.

In order to solve this problem, both ends of the laser rod are held by a holder via watertight gaskets.

However, even if the laser rod is water-cooled, it is difficult to completely eliminate the thermal effects of the flash lamp.
When laser oscillation continues, the optical properties of the laser rod change due to thermal effects, and the oscillation optical axis of the laser beam shifts from the central axis direction of the laser rod.

Therefore, since the laser beam irradiates the watertight gasket, the gastight deterioration deteriorates the watertightness between the laser rod and the holder, and it is inevitable that the cooling water stains the end face of the laser rod.

The present invention was developed based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to prevent the laser beam from irradiating the watertight gasket even if the optical properties of the laser rod change due to the influence of heat and the oscillation optical axis shifts. In this way, it is an object of the present invention to provide a laser oscillation device in which the end face of the laser rod is prevented from being contaminated due to deterioration of the watertight packing.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the figure, 1 is a laser rod having a pair of parallel end surfaces 1a and 1a made of ruby, glass, YAG, etc., and this laser rod 1 is held by holders 2, 2.

That is, this holder 2 includes a hollow cylinder 3 having a recess 3a formed in its end surface, an insertion hole 4a having a larger diameter than the rod 1, and a pressing surface 4b facing the end surface of the cylinder 3. and a cap 4 screwed onto the end of the recess 3a of the cylindrical body 3, and a watertight packing made of silicone rubber or the like between the end face of the cylindrical body 3 and the pressing surface 4b of the cap 4. 5 is sandwiched, and a light-shielding packing 6 made of a soft metal such as lead or a light-resistant material such as Teflon resin is fitted into the recess 3a of the cylinder 3.

Both ends of the laser rod 1 are inserted into the holders 2, 2 through a watertight packing 5 and a light shielding packing 6, respectively.

Therefore, the light-shielding packing 6 is better than the water-tight packing 5.
is located closer to the end surfaces 1a and 1a of the laser rod 1.

Further, a case 7 made of transparent glass, resin, or the like is provided between the holders 2, 2 to accommodate the laser rod 1, and is watertight with the outer peripheral surface of the holders 2.

This case 7 is provided with a water supply pipe 8 and a drain pipe 9 through which cooling water for cooling the laser rod 1 flows.

The holders 2, 2 holding the laser rod 1 as described above are installed on the support base 10 shown by the chain line in the figure.

Further, a flash lamp 11 is provided on the support base 10 so as to face the laser rod 1 .

This flash lamp 11 is connected to a trigger electrode (not shown), and optically excites the laser rod 1 with an excitation signal from the trigger electrode.

Furthermore, a reflection-side resonator mirror 12 and an output-side resonator mirror 13 are disposed parallel to and opposite to the respective end surfaces 1a and la of the laser rod 1, and the output-side resonator mirror 13
The laser beam L is oscillated in a timely manner.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained.

First, when the laser rod 1 is optically excited by the flash lamp 11, the oscillation optical axis moves in the direction of the central axis of the laser rod 1 between the end surfaces 1a, la of the laser rod 1 and the resonator mirror 12°13, as shown by the arrow in FIG. The oscillation of the laser beam L parallel to is started, and the laser beam L is output from the output side resonator mirror 13.

However, if such optical excitation of the laser rod 1 continues, the optical properties of the laser rod 1 will change.

Therefore, the oscillation optical axis of the laser beam L is shifted from the central axis direction of the laser rod 1 as shown by the arrow in FIG. Light-shielding gasket located at 6゜6
However, this light-shielding gasket 6.6 has excellent light resistance, so even if it is irradiated with the laser beam L, it will not deteriorate.

Therefore, even if the optical properties of the laser pad 1 change, the laser beam L will not be blocked by the light-shielding gasket 6°6 and will not irradiate the watertight gaskets 5, 5 and cause them to deteriorate. There is no possibility that the cooling water flowing therein will leak and stain the end surfaces 1a, la of the laser rod 1, thereby reducing the oscillation efficiency.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the light-shielding gaskets 6°6 are placed closer to the end surfaces 1a and 1 of the laser rod 1 than the watertight gaskets 5, 5.
Although it is provided only on one side of the watertight gaskets 5, 5 so as to be located on the a side, a recess 4c is formed in the pressing surface 4b of the cap 4 as shown in FIG. Light-shielding packing 6', 6' located on the other side of packing 5, 5
(only one side is shown) and the excitation light of the flash lamp 11 is also prevented from irradiating the watertight gasket 5.5.
The durability of the watertight gaskets 5, 5 can be further improved.

As described above, in the present invention, there is a watertight gasket between the laser rod and the holder, and at least the laser beam reflected by the resonator mirror from the watertight gasket to the end face side of the laser rod irradiates the watertight gasket. Even if the oscillation optical axis of the laser beam deviates from the direction of the central axis of the laser rod, the laser beam will not be blocked by the light-shielding packing. There is no need to irradiate the watertight gasket.

Therefore, unlike in the past, this watertight gasket does not deteriorate and lose its function, so there is no possibility of an accident in which the cooling water that cools the laser rod contaminates the end face of the laser rod and reduces the oscillation efficiency of the laser beam. It is preventable.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part showing one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the main part, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the main part showing another embodiment of the invention. It is a diagram. 1... Laser rod, 1a... End face (
) of the laser rod, 2... holder, 5...
... Watertight packing, 6,6'... Light blocking packing.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In a laser oscillator in which the outer circumferential surfaces of both ends of a water-cooled laser rod are held by a holder with a watertight gasket interposed therebetween, and resonator mirrors are arranged facing each other on both end surfaces of the laser rod, the end surfaces of the laser rod and A light-shielding gasket is provided between the water-tight gasket and a light-shielding gasket that is brought into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the laser rod, and a means is provided to press the light-shielding gasket together with the water-tight gasket to bring it into close contact with the laser rod. Characteristic laser oscillation device.