KR102513576B1 - Laser device - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first laser generator for outputting a first laser having a first pulse width; a second laser generator outputting a second laser having a second pulse width shorter than the first pulse width from the first laser output from the first laser generator; an amplifying unit amplifying the laser light output from the first laser generating unit or the second laser generating unit; and operating in a first mode or a second mode according to a desired pulse width. In the first mode, the first laser is directed to the amplifying unit without passing through the second laser generating unit, and in the second mode, A laser device including a; pulse selection optical unit for converting a path of the first laser toward the second laser generating unit and directing the second laser output from the second laser generating unit to the amplifying unit. .

Description

Laser device {Laser device}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to laser devices.

Laser beams are used in various fields such as industrial, medical, and military purposes. In particular, medical lasers are widely used in surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, dentistry, etc., because they can focus predetermined energy locally and non-invasive treatment is possible.

In laser treatment, lasers of different energy levels are required depending on the treatment area or its location, that is, the depth from the skin. In addition, it may be necessary to use lasers having the same wavelength but different pulse widths depending on the type of lesion. Accordingly, there is a demand for the development of a laser device capable of selectively using lasers having a plurality of types of pulse widths.

A laser device that selectively emits lasers of two pulse widths is provided.

According to an embodiment, a first laser generator for outputting a first laser having a first pulse width; a second laser generator outputting a second laser having a second pulse width shorter than the first pulse width from the first laser output from the first laser generator; an amplifying unit amplifying the laser light output from the first laser generating unit or the second laser generating unit; and operating in a first mode or a second mode according to a desired pulse width. In the first mode, the first laser is directed to the amplifying unit without passing through the second laser generating unit, and in the second mode, A laser device including a; pulse selection optical unit for converting a path of the first laser toward the second laser generating unit and directing the second laser output from the second laser generating unit to the amplifying unit. .

The pulse select optical unit may include a first polarization beam splitter that transmits light of a first polarization and reflects light of a second polarization perpendicular to the first polarization; A driving mirror disposed between the first polarization beam splitter and the second laser generator and positioned within an optical path between the first polarization beam splitter and the second laser generator or positioned outside the optical path ; and a first 1/4 wave plate disposed between the mirror and the first polarization beam splitter.

In the first mode, the driving mirror may be located within the optical path, and in the second mode, the driving mirror may be located outside the optical path.

The pulse selection optical unit includes a first variable half-wave plate controlled in an off mode for transmitting the incident light without changing the polarization of the incident light or an on mode for transmitting the incident light by converting the polarization of the incident light in a vertical direction; a first polarization beam splitter disposed in an optical path passing through the first variable half-wave plate to transmit light of either first polarization or second polarization perpendicular to each other and to reflect light of the other polarization; a first 1/4 wave plate disposed between the first polarization beam splitter and the second laser generator; a second quarter wave plate and a mirror disposed on a path along which the light reflected by the first polarization beam splitter travels; and an off mode that is disposed between the first polarization beam splitter and the amplifier and transmits the incident light without changing the polarization, or an on mode that converts the polarization of the incident light in a vertical direction and transmits the incident light. It may include a second variable half-wave plate that is controlled.

In the first mode, the first tunable half-wave plate and the second tunable half-wave plate operate in an off mode, and in the second mode, the first tunable half-wave plate and the second tunable half-wave plate operate in an on mode. can do.

The first laser output from the first laser generator is light of a first polarization, the first polarization beam splitter transmits the light of the first polarization and the light of a second polarization perpendicular to the first polarization can reflect.

In the first mode, the first tunable half-wave plate and the second tunable half-wave plate operate in an on mode, and in the second mode, the first tunable half-wave plate and the second tunable half-wave plate are turned off. It can operate in (off) mode.

The first laser output from the first laser generator is light of a first polarization, and the first polarization beam splitter transmits light of a second polarization perpendicular to the first polarization, and the light of the first polarization is can reflect.

A nanosecond laser may be output in the first mode, and a picosecond laser may be output in the second mode.

The first laser generator may include a laser medium, a pumping light source supplying light to the laser medium, and a first mirror and a second mirror spaced apart from each other with the laser medium interposed therebetween.

The first laser generator may further include a saturable absorber disposed between the first mirror and the laser medium.

The second laser generator may include a Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) cell.

The first laser generator may further include a pinhole disposed between the first mirror and the laser medium, and an etalon filter disposed between the laser medium and the second mirror.

The second laser generator may further include a concave mirror for reflecting the light passing through the SBS cell and converging it to the SBS cell.

The amplification unit amplifies the incident first laser or the second laser; and a second amplification unit further amplifying the light amplified by the first amplification unit.

The laser device is disposed between the first amplification unit and the second amplification unit, directs the light emitted through the pulse selection optical unit to the first amplification unit, and directs the light amplified by the first amplification unit to the second amplification unit. It may further include a second polarization beam splitter directed to 2 amplifiers.

The laser device further includes a half-wave plate disposed between the pulse selecting optical unit and the second polarizing beam splitter, and a third quarter-wave plate disposed between the first amplifying unit and the second polarizing beam splitter. can do.

According to the embodiment, a treatment device including any one of the above-described laser devices and a control unit for controlling the laser device to operate in the first mode or the second mode is provided.

The above-described laser device may selectively output lasers having different pulse widths, for example, nanosecond lasers and picosecond lasers.

The above-described laser device can be used as a treatment device because a laser having a pulse width suitable for a target lesion can be selected.

1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a schematic configuration of a laser device according to embodiments.
2A and 2B show optical paths operating in a first mode and a second mode, respectively, together with a schematic configuration of a laser device according to an embodiment.
3 schematically shows an optical arrangement of a laser device according to another embodiment.
4A and 4B show a schematic configuration of a laser device according to another embodiment and optical paths operating in a first mode and a second mode, respectively.
5 is a diagram schematically showing an optical arrangement of a laser device according to another embodiment.
6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a treatment device according to an embodiment.

Since the present invention can apply various transformations and have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. Effects and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them will become clear with reference to the embodiments described later in detail together with the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various forms.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and when describing with reference to the drawings, the same or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted. .

In the following embodiments, terms such as first and second are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component without limiting meaning.

In the following examples, expressions in the singular number include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the following embodiments, terms such as include or have mean that features or components described in the specification exist, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

In the following embodiments, when a part such as a region or component is said to be on or on another part, it includes not only the case directly above the other part, but also the case where another region, component, etc. is interposed therebetween. do.

In the drawings, the size of components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, since the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of description, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated bar.

When an embodiment is otherwise implementable, a specific process sequence may be performed differently from the described sequence. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously, or may be performed in an order reverse to the order described.

In the following embodiments, when it is assumed that regions and components are connected, not only cases where regions and components are directly connected but also cases where regions and components are interposed and connected indirectly through intervening regions and components are included. .

1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a schematic configuration of a laser device according to embodiments.

The laser device 1000 includes a first laser generator 100, a second laser generator 200, a first laser generator 100, a pulse selection optical unit 300, and an amplification unit 500.

The first laser generating unit 100 outputs a first laser L1 having a first pulse width, and the second laser generating unit 200 outputs a first laser L1 output from the first laser generating unit 100. The second laser L2 having a pulse width shorter than the pulse width of is output. The first laser L1 may be a nanosecond laser, and the second laser L2 may be a picosecond laser. In the following description, the first laser L1 is a nanosecond laser and the second laser L2 is a picosecond laser, but is not limited thereto, and the first laser L1 and the second laser L2 ) may have different pulse widths.

The first laser generator 100 has a resonator structure with a laser medium interposed therebetween, and outputs a first laser L1 having a first pulse width in a predetermined wavelength band. An exemplary detailed structure of the first laser generating unit 100 will be described later.

The second laser generating unit 200 outputs a second laser L2 having a second pulse width shorter than the first pulse width from the first laser L1 output from the first laser generating unit 100 . An exemplary detailed structure of the second laser generating unit 200 will be described later.

The pulse selection optical unit 300 is an optical system configured to operate in a first mode or a second mode according to a desired pulse width. The first mode is a mode in which the first laser L1 is directed to the amplifying unit 500 without passing through the second laser generating unit 200, and the second mode directs the first laser L1 to the second laser generating unit. This mode converts the path toward (200) and directs the second laser (L2) output from the second laser generating unit (200) to the amplifier (500). That is, in the first mode, the first laser L1 having the first pulse width is output, and in the second mode, the second laser L2 having the second pulse width is output.

2a and 2b show a schematic configuration of a laser device according to an embodiment, and optical paths operating in a first mode and a second mode, respectively.

The pulse selection optical unit 301 of the laser device 1001 includes a first polarization beam splitter 310, a first 1/4 wave plate 320, and a driving mirror 330. The first polarization beam splitter 310 transmits a first polarization and reflects light of a second polarization perpendicular to the first polarization. The first polarization may be P polarization, and the second polarization may be S polarization. In the drawings below, the first polarized light is denoted by ↔ and the second polarized light is denoted by ⊙. The driving mirror 330 is a total reflection mirror that is driven between the first polarization beam splitter 310 and the second laser generator 200 to be positioned inside and outside the optical path. That is, the driving mirror 330 is positioned within the optical path between the first polarization beam splitter 310 and the second laser generator 200 (FIG. 2A) or positioned outside the optical path (FIG. 2B). can The first 1/4 wave plate 320 is disposed on the driving mirror 330 and the first polarization beam splitter 310 . Path changing members 391 and 392 may be disposed between the first laser generator 100 and the first polarization beam splitter 310 . The path changing members 391 and 392 may be total reflection mirrors or may be polarization beam splitters that reflect light of the first polarization.

Looking at the operation of the first mode with reference to Figure 2a, as follows. The first laser beam L1 output from the first laser generator 100 reaches the first polarization beam splitter 310 via path changing members 391 and 392 . Since the first laser L1 is first polarized light, it passes through the first polarization beam splitter 310 . Next, the light passes through the first 1/4 wave plate 320 and is polarized into circularly polarized light and reaches the driving mirror 330 . Next, it is reflected from the drive mirror 330 and converted into circularly polarized light in the opposite direction to the previous circularly polarized light, and passes through the first 1/4 wave plate 320 again to become a second polarization state, so this time the first polarized light beam It is reflected from the splitter 310.

Through this path, the first laser L1 generated by the first laser generator 100 is not incident to the second laser generator 200, but is output toward the amplification unit 500, and the amplification unit 500 ) is amplified and output.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the operation of the second mode is as follows. The first laser beam L1 output from the first laser generator 100 reaches the first polarization beam splitter 310 via path changing members 391 and 392 . The first laser L1 output from the first laser generator 100 is light of a first polarization and transmits through the first polarization beam splitter 310 . Next, the polarization is converted into circularly polarized light while passing through the first 1/4 wave plate 320 . The driving mirror 330 is out of the optical path in the second mode, so that the first laser L1 is incident on the second laser generating unit 200 . The second laser L2 is output from the second laser generator 200 . The second laser (L2) is a part of the incident beam is compressed by the SBS stoke process in the SBS (Stimulated Brillouin Scattering) cell provided in the second laser generating unit 200, and returns in the opposite direction incident to the SBS cell. state is output. Next, the second polarization state passes through the first 1/4 wave plate 320 and is reflected by the first polarization beam splitter 310 .

Through this path, the first laser L1 generated by the first laser generator 100 is incident on the second laser generator 200, and from this, the second laser generator 200 is amplified by the amplifying unit 500. The second laser (L2) is output toward. The second laser (L2) is output through the amplifier 500.

3 schematically shows an optical arrangement of a laser device according to another embodiment.

The laser device 1002 includes a first laser generating unit 101, a second laser generating unit 201, and an amplifying unit 501, and a pulse selection optical unit 301 having the configuration described in FIGS. 2A and 2B. ).

The first laser generator 101 includes a laser medium 155, a pumping light source 152 supplying light to the laser medium 155, and a first mirror 110 disposed spaced apart with the laser medium 155 interposed therebetween. ) and a second mirror 190 . The first mirror 110 may be a total reflection mirror, and the second mirror 190 may be an output mirror and may be a partial reflection mirror.

The pumping light source 152 may be a flash lamp or a laser diode, and other various types of light sources capable of providing light energy to the laser medium 155 . The pumping light source 152 receives power from a power supply unit (not shown), emits light, and provides light to the laser medium 155 . The laser medium 155 absorbs the energy of light supplied from the pumping light source 152 and emits amplified light. The laser medium 155 may be Nd:Yag (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet), but is not limited thereto, and Nd:YAP (Neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Perovskite) may be used as the laser medium 155.

The first laser generator 101 may generate a first laser L1 having a first pulse width, for example, a nanosecond laser, by using a Q-switching method. To this end, a saturable absorber 130 may be disposed between the first mirror 110 and the laser medium 155 . The saturable absorber 130 may serve to absorb light having an intensity below a certain level and pass light having an intensity higher than a certain level. The saturable absorber 130 is also referred to as a passive Q-switch. The saturable absorber 130 may include Cr4+:YAG (four-valence Chromium Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet). Of the light excited in the laser medium 155 by the light supplied from the pumping light source 152, light having an intensity below a certain standard is absorbed by the saturable absorber 130, and light having a certain intensity or more is absorbed by the saturable absorber 130. ) and is amplified while reciprocating the resonance path between the first mirror 110 and the second mirror 190. In this way, light having a certain intensity or more may cause laser oscillation and be outputted at a predetermined time interval through the second mirror 190 as an output mirror.

An etalon filter 170 may be further disposed between the first mirror 110 and the second mirror 190 . The etalon filter 170 may separate and output a specific mode from incident light. As light is repeatedly reflected and transmitted at multiple interfaces of multiple layers constituting the etalon filter 170, complex interference occurs inside the etalon filter 170, and at this time, the thickness (optical distance) and wavelength Only light of a specific mode that satisfies the condition may be emitted. A pinhole 120 may be further disposed between the first mirror 110 and the laser medium 155 . The pinhole 120, the saturable absorber 130, and the etalon filter 170 are provided to match the mode of the first laser L1 generated by the first laser generator 101 to a predetermined requirement. When the nanosecond laser incident to the second laser generator 201 must be transverse single mode or longitudinal single mode, the SBS cell 250 provided in the second laser generator 201 can generate the picosecond laser. For this purpose, the configuration and resonator length may be appropriately set. The first laser generator 101 may further include a polarizer 160 that allows the output first laser L1 to have a first polarization state. The location of the polarizer 160 is not limited to the illustrated location.

The second laser generator 201 includes a Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) cell 250 . The SBS cell 250 may generate a second laser beam having a second pulse width shorter than the first pulse width by compressing the first laser beam L1 having a first pulse width. The first laser L1, which is a nanosecond laser, is compressed using the SBS compression method, and the second laser L2, which is a picosecond laser, may be extracted. The second laser generator 201 may also include a mirror 210 that reflects light transmitted through the SBS cell 250 back to the SBS cell 250 . The mirror 210 may be a total reflection mirror and may also be a concave mirror for focusing light into the SBS cell 250 .

The amplifier 501 amplifies the low energy laser output from the first laser generator 101 or the second laser generator 201 . The amplification unit 501 includes a first amplification unit 520 that primarily amplifies the incident first laser L1 or second laser L2 and further amplifies the light amplified by the first amplification unit 520. A second amplifier 540 may be included.

The first amplifier 520 includes a first pumping light source 522 and a first amplification medium 525 . The first amplification medium 525 absorbs light energy supplied from the first pumping light source 522 and amplifies and outputs the incident energy of the first laser L1. In addition, the second amplification unit 540 includes a second pumping light source 542 and a second amplification medium 545, and the second amplification medium 545 uses ball energy supplied from the second pumping light source 542. By absorption, the laser primarily amplified by the first amplification unit 520 can be further amplified. The first amplification medium 525 and the second amplification medium 545 are Nd:Yag (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet).

A total reflection mirror 510 may be disposed at one end of the first amplifier 501 . Between the first amplification unit 520 and the second amplification unit 540, the light emitted through the pulse selection optical unit 301 is directed to the first amplification unit 520 and amplified by the first amplification unit 520. A second polarization beam splitter 450 may be further disposed to direct the converted light to the second amplifier. A path changing member 460 may be further disposed between the first amplifier 520 and the second amplifier 540 . A third quarter wave plate 455 may be further disposed between the second polarization beam splitter 450 and the first amplifier 520 . A half-wave plate 455 may be further disposed between the pulse selection optical unit 301 and the second polarization beam splitter 450 . In addition, beam expanders 410 and 470 are provided at appropriate positions on the optical path between the pulse select optical unit 301 and the first amplifier 520 and between the first amplifier 520 and the second amplifier 540. can be placed. A path changing member 420 and an isolator 430 may be disposed in an optical path from the pulse selecting optical unit 301 toward the first amplifying unit 520 . The path changing member 420 may be a total reflection mirror. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, since the light emitted from the pulse selecting optical unit 301 is in a second polarization state, the path changing member 420 may be configured as a polarization beam splitter that reflects the second polarization. .

An optical path through which the first laser L1 or the second laser L2 emitted from the pulse selection optical unit 301 passes through the amplifier 501 and is output is as follows. As described in FIGS. 2A and 2B , as the position of the driving mirror 330 is controlled, the pulse selection optical unit 301 emits the first laser L1 or the second laser beam toward the amplifier 501 in a second polarization state. (L2) is output. The output light passes through the beam expander 410, the path changing member 420, and the isolator 430 to reach the 1/2 wave plate 440, and is converted into the second polarization state at the 1/2 wave plate 440. do. The second polarization beam splitter 450 is configured to transmit light of the second polarization and reflect light of the first polarization, so that the first laser L1 or the second laser L2 of the second polarization It is directed to the amplifier 520. At this time, it is converted into circularly polarized light by the third quarter wave plate 455, passes through the first amplifier 520, is reflected by the total reflection mirror 510, and is converted into circularly polarized light in the opposite direction. After passing through the 3 1/4 wave plate 455, the light is converted into first polarized light and reflected by the second polarization beam splitter 450. Next, it goes to the second amplifier 540 via the path changing member 460 . The path changing member 460 may be a total reflection mirror or a polarization beam splitter that reflects light of the first polarization. The first laser (L1) or the second laser (L2) incident on the second amplification unit 540 through this path absorbs the light energy supplied from the second pumping light source 542 and forms a second amplification medium (545). It passes through and is amplified and output.

4A and 4B show a schematic configuration of a laser device according to another embodiment and optical paths operating in a first mode and a second mode, respectively.

In the laser device 1003 of this embodiment, an optical system in which the pulse selection optical unit 303 utilizes the variable half-wave plates 340 and 380 instead of the driving mirror 330 provided in the above-described laser devices 1001 and 1002 There is a difference in terms of composition.

The pulse selection optical unit 303 of the laser device 1003 is controlled in an off mode that transmits the incident light without changing the polarization, or an on mode that converts the polarization of the incident light in the vertical direction and transmits it. The first variable half-wave plate 340 is disposed in the light path passing through the first variable half-wave plate 340, and transmits light of either polarization of the first polarization and the second polarization perpendicular to each other, and the light of the other polarization A first polarization beam splitter 350 for reflection, a first quarter wave plate 320 disposed between the first polarization beam splitter 350 and the second laser generator 200, the first polarization beam splitter 350 It is disposed between the second 1/4 wave plate 370 and the mirror 375, the first polarization beam splitter 350 and the amplifier 500 disposed on the path of the light reflected by ), and the incident light and a second variable half-wave plate 380 controlled in an off mode for transmitting without changing the polarization of incident light or an on mode for converting the polarization of incident light in a vertical direction and transmitting it. In addition, path changing members 393 and 394 may be disposed between the first laser generator 100 and the first polarization beam splitter 350 . The path changing members 393 and 394 may be total reflection mirrors.

Looking at the operation of the first mode with reference to Figure 4a, as follows. In the first mode, the first variable half-wave plate 340 operates in an on mode that changes the polarization of incident light in a vertical direction. The first laser L1 output from the first laser generator 100 is first polarized light and is converted into second polarized light while passing through the first variable half-wave plate 340 in an on-mode state. The first laser L1 converted into light of the second polarization reaches the first polarization beam splitter 350 through the path conversion members 393 and 394 . The first polarization beam splitter 350 is a polarization beam splitter that transmits light of the first polarization and reflects light of the second polarization, and thus reflects the first laser beam L1 of the second polarization. The reflected first laser beam L1 passes through the second quarter wave plate 370, is converted into circularly polarized light, is reflected by the mirror 375, and is converted into circularly polarized light in the opposite direction, and then returns to the second quarter wave plate 370. After passing through (370), it is in the first polarization state and is transmitted through the first polarization beam splitter (350). The second variable half-wave plate 380 operates in an on mode, and converts the incident first polarized light first laser beam L1 into a second polarized light and emits the light.

Through this path, the first laser L1 generated by the first laser generating unit 100 is not incident on the second laser generating unit 200, but is directed toward the amplifying unit 500, and the amplifying unit 500 is amplified and output.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the operation of the second mode is as follows. In the second mode, the first variable half-wave plate 340 operates in an off mode that does not convert the polarization of incident light. The first laser L1 output from the first laser generator 100 is light of the first polarization and maintains the first polarization even after passing through the first variable half-wave plate 340 in an off mode state. The first laser beam L1 of the second polarization reaches the first polarization beam splitter 350 via the path changing members 393 and 394 . Since the first polarization beam splitter 350 transmits light of the first polarization, the first laser L1 of the first polarization is directed toward the second laser generator 200 . In addition, by the first 1/4 wave plate 320 disposed in the light path transmitted through the first polarization beam splitter 350, the first laser L1 is circularly polarized and the second laser generator 200 be entered into The second laser L2 is generated by the second laser generator 200 . The second laser L2 is output in a state in which it returns in a direction opposite to that incident on the SBS cell by the SBS stoke process in the SBS (Stimulated Brillouin Scattering) cell provided in the second laser generating unit 200 . After the second laser L2 passes through the first 1/4 wave plate 320 , it becomes second polarized light and may be reflected by the first polarization beam splitter 350 . Next, since the polarization state is maintained as it passes through the second variable half-wave plate 380 operating in an off mode, the second laser L2 of the second polarization state is output.

Through this path, the first laser L1 generated by the first laser generating unit 100 is incident on the second laser generating unit 200, and from this, the second laser generating unit 200 generates the second laser L2. ) is output and directed to the amplifier 500. The second laser (L2) is amplified through the amplifier 500 and then output.

5 is a diagram schematically showing an optical arrangement of a laser device according to another embodiment.

The laser device 1005 of this embodiment includes the first laser generating unit 101, the second laser generating unit 201, and the amplifying unit 501 described in FIG. 3, and the pulse selection optics described in FIGS. 4A and 4B. It includes section 303.

Since each detailed component and operation are substantially the same as those described in FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b, repeated descriptions will be omitted.

The specific configuration of the optical system illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 is an example of implementing the concept of FIG. 1 , and can be variously modified to selectively output nanosecond laser and picosecond laser by utilizing a driving mirror or a variable half-wave plate. . For example, the exemplified specific optical system has been described as outputting a nanosecond laser in a first mode and outputting a picosecond laser in a second mode, but is not limited thereto, and outputs a picosecond laser in the first mode and outputs a picosecond laser in the second mode. The detailed configuration of the optical system can be changed in the form of outputting nanosecond laser. In addition, for example, the path changing members 391, 392, 420 (460) of FIG. 3 and the path changing members 393, 394, 420, 460 of FIG. 5 are the first laser generator ( 101), the second laser generator 201, the first amplification unit 520, and the second amplification unit 540 are provided so that the optical paths are parallel to each other, and if necessary, some of them are omitted or other paths are converted. More members may be added, and the amplification unit 501 may include only one amplification unit.

The laser device according to the embodiment can be used in various devices, for example, medical devices for beauty or treatment, and in addition, can be used in various electronic devices that can selectively utilize lasers having a plurality of types of pulse widths. can

6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a treatment device according to an embodiment.

The treatment device 2000 includes a laser device 2500 and a controller 2300 that drives the laser device. The laser device 2500 may include any one of the laser devices 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, and 1005 according to the above-described embodiments, or a modified configuration thereof. The controller 2300 may select a pulse mode of the laser device 2500 and drive the laser device 2500 accordingly. The treatment device 2000 may further include a skin surface diagnosis device 2600 for diagnosing a skin condition of the object OBJ and a memory 2800 storing information used for controlling the laser device 2500. and may further include a user interface 2200. The user interface 2200 may include a display unit and an input unit. The input unit may include, for example, a keyboard or a touch panel.

In skin treatment using laser light, lasers of different types and different energies may be required depending on the type of pigmented lesion. For example, nanosecond laser may be suitable for treatment of epidermal lesions such as freckles and blemishes, and in the case of treatment of lesions deep in the dermal layer of the skin or when it is necessary to treat pigment particles by splitting them into small sizes during pigment treatment, picosecond laser The use of a laser may be appropriate.

The treatment device 2000 includes a laser device 2500 capable of selectively outputting a picosecond laser and a nanosecond laser, so that a treatment effect suitable for a type of lesion can be exhibited.

As such, the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the drawings, but this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations of the embodiment are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004: laser device
100, 101: first laser generator
200, 201: second laser generator
300, 301, 303, 303, 304: pulse selection optical unit
330: driving mirror
310, 350, 355: first polarizing beam splitter
340, 380: first and second variable half-wave plates
320, 370, 455: first, second, third quarter wave plate
391, 392, 393, 394, 420, 460: path conversion member
450: second polarizing beam splitter
2000: Therapeutic device

Claims (16)

a first laser generator outputting a first laser having a first pulse width;
a second laser generator outputting a second laser having a second pulse width shorter than the first pulse width from the first laser output from the first laser generator;
an amplifying unit amplifying the laser light output from the first laser generating unit or the second laser generating unit; and
Operating in the first mode or the second mode according to the desired pulse width,
In the first mode, the first laser is directed to the amplifying unit without passing through the second laser generating unit;
In the second mode, path conversion of the first laser toward the second laser generating unit and directing the second laser output from the second laser generating unit to the amplifying unit.
It includes; a pulse selection optical unit;
The pulse select optics
a first polarization beam splitter that transmits light of a first polarization and reflects light of a second polarization perpendicular to the first polarization;
A driving mirror disposed between the first polarization beam splitter and the second laser generator and positioned within an optical path between the first polarization beam splitter and the second laser generator or positioned outside the optical path ; and
A laser device comprising a; first 1/4 wave plate disposed between the mirror and the first polarizing beam splitter. delete According to claim 1,
In the first mode, the driving mirror is located in the optical path,
In the second mode, the driving mirror is positioned outside the optical path. a first laser generator outputting a first laser having a first pulse width;
a second laser generator outputting a second laser having a second pulse width shorter than the first pulse width from the first laser output from the first laser generator;
an amplifying unit amplifying the laser light output from the first laser generating unit or the second laser generating unit; and
Operating in the first mode or the second mode according to the desired pulse width,
In the first mode, the first laser is directed to the amplifying unit without passing through the second laser generating unit;
In the second mode, path conversion of the first laser toward the second laser generating unit and directing the second laser output from the second laser generating unit to the amplifying unit.
It includes; a pulse selection optical unit;
The pulse select optics
A first tunable half-wave plate controlled in an off mode that transmits incident light without changing the polarization of light or an on mode that converts the polarization of incident light in a vertical direction and transmits it:
a first polarization beam splitter disposed in an optical path passing through the first variable half-wave plate to transmit light of either first polarization or second polarization perpendicular to each other and to reflect light of the other polarization;
a first 1/4 wave plate disposed between the first polarization beam splitter and the second laser generator;
a second quarter wave plate and a mirror disposed on a path along which the light reflected by the first polarization beam splitter travels; and
It is disposed between the first polarization beam splitter and the amplifying unit, and is controlled in an off mode in which the polarization of incident light is transmitted without changing, or in an on mode in which the polarization of incident light is converted in a vertical direction and transmitted. A laser device comprising: a second variable half-wave plate. According to claim 4,
In the first mode,
The first variable half-wave plate and the second variable half-wave plate operate in an on mode;
in the second mode
The first variable half-wave plate and the second variable half-wave plate operate in an off mode. According to claim 5,
The first laser output from the first laser generator is light of a first polarization,
The first polarizing beam splitter
A laser device that transmits light of the first polarization and reflects light of a second polarization perpendicular to the first polarization. According to claim 1,
A nanosecond laser is output in the first mode,
A laser device in which a picosecond laser is output in the second mode. The method of any one of claims 1, 3 to 7,
The first laser generating unit
A laser device comprising a laser medium, a pumping light source for supplying light to the laser medium, and a first mirror and a second mirror spaced apart from each other with the laser medium interposed therebetween. According to claim 8,
The first laser generating unit
Further comprising a saturable absorber disposed between the first mirror and the laser medium, the laser device. According to claim 9,
Wherein the second laser generating unit includes a Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) cell. According to claim 10,
The first laser generating unit
a pinhole disposed between the first mirror and the laser medium;
The laser device further comprising an etalon filter disposed between the laser medium and the second mirror. According to claim 10,
The second laser generating unit further comprises a concave mirror that collects the light passing through the SBS cell to the SBS cell, the laser device. The method of any one of claims 1, 3 to 7,
the amplifier
a first amplifying unit amplifying the incident first laser or the second laser; and
A laser device comprising a; second amplification unit for further amplifying the light amplified by the first amplification unit. a first laser generator outputting a first laser having a first pulse width;
a second laser generator outputting a second laser having a second pulse width shorter than the first pulse width from the first laser output from the first laser generator;
an amplifying unit amplifying the laser light output from the first laser generating unit or the second laser generating unit; and
Operating in the first mode or the second mode according to the desired pulse width,
In the first mode, the first laser is directed to the amplifying unit without passing through the second laser generating unit;
In the second mode, path conversion of the first laser toward the second laser generating unit and directing the second laser output from the second laser generating unit to the amplifying unit.
It includes; a pulse selection optical unit;
the amplifier
a first amplifying unit amplifying the incident first laser or the second laser; and
A second amplification unit further amplifying the light amplified by the first amplification unit;
It is disposed between the first amplifier and the second amplifier,
and a second polarization beam splitter for directing the light emitted through the pulse selection optical unit to the first amplifying unit and directing the light amplified by the first amplifying unit to the second amplifying unit. According to claim 14,
a half-wave plate disposed between the pulse selecting optical unit and the second polarization beam splitter;
The laser device further comprises a third quarter wave plate disposed between the first amplifier and the second polarization beam splitter. The laser device of any one of claims 1 and 3 to 7;
A treatment device comprising a; controller for controlling the laser device to operate in the first mode or the second mode.

Images