RU2682560C1 - Laser radiator - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: laser emitter contains a block of resonator mirrors installed on the base, a corner reflector, a laser substance block, a radiation divergence regulator containing at least one lens, and a first two-mirror reflector on which a second two-mirror reflector is mounted. Mirrors of the first and second two-mirror reflectors are mutually perpendicular and turned in one direction. Between the block of resonator mirrors and the corner reflector on the one hand and the second two-mirror reflector on the other hand there is a block of laser matter and a regulator of the radiation divergence. Resonator mirrors are optically coupled to the corner reflector through two-mirror reflectors. At the base there are channels for the passage of radiation, connected to the corresponding channels in the block housings of the resonator mirrors, the corner reflector and the first two-mirror reflector with the formation of a closed volume. Resonator mirrors, mirrors of the first and second two-mirror reflectors and at least two mirrors of the corner reflector are mounted on the body in the alignment frames.

EFFECT: technical result is reducing the size and weight, as well as improving the stability of the laser emitter.

4 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The invention relates to laser technology, in particular to laser emitters, the basis of which is a multi-mirror optical resonator with an angular reflector. The invention can be used to create products and devices, for example, solid-state and gas lasers capable of operating in various operating conditions, including external thermal and mechanical stresses.

The invention is known under the name "Laser with a system of rapid axial gas circulation" (p. US No. 4709372, H01S 3/22, publ. 1987), which describes a laser emitter, which consists of a block of laser material (BLV) and multi-mirror optical resonator. BLV is a supporting structure, a system for the preparation and supply of a laser substance - gas, and coarse inside which the laser substance circulates inside the resonator. The resonator consists of opposite block of resonator mirrors (BRZ) and an angular reflector (UO) located directly on the supporting structure of the BLV. RHL consists of a body and two mirrors, each of which is installed in a corner quotation slide, equipped with a fixed center and adjusting screws. The UO contains a housing with three mirrors mounted directly on it, the working surfaces of which are mutually perpendicular. The UO provides an optical connection between the resonator mirrors and adds up the optical axis of the resonator with the formation of two parallel sections passing inside the BLV pipes. BLV pipes are connected to the BRZ and UO cases.

The use of EO allowed us to create a relatively compact design of the resonator by folding the optical axis of the resonator. Due to the property of UO to return the reflected beam parallel to the incident beam, and due to the location of the BRZ and UO mirrors on monolithic housings, the stability of the laser emitter is increased.

However, there is a direct connection between the BRZ and UO cases with BLV elements, as well as the use of angular quotation movements in the BRZ. containing a large number of intermediate elements between the mirrors and the housing, can lead to misalignment of the resonator under mechanical and thermal effects on the elements of the resonator. In addition, the UO mirrors are deprived of the possibility of quoting, and the accuracy of their installation depends on the accuracy of the manufacture of the UO housing, which increases the requirements for its manufacture, or will require refinement of the housing surfaces during the assembly of the resonator. Otherwise, the inaccuracy of the installation will affect the correct operation of the UO, which will reduce the stability of the emitter.

In some cases, the addition of the optical axis of the resonator with the formation of two parallel segments is not enough to create a compact and rigid structure, since the length of the laser emitter will still significantly exceed the width and height. In addition, in this design it is difficult to place any intracavity elements other than the BLV, and the configuration of the resonator can change mainly due to the shape of the mirrors and the properties of the laser substance.

The closest analogue of the claimed invention, selected as a prototype, is the laser emitter described in the invention under the name "Polarizing angular reflector" (p. EPV No. 0285397, H01S 3/07, 3/08, 3/105, publ. 1988 ) The emitter consists of a base in the form of a plate, a BLV and a multi-mirror optical resonator. BLV is installed on the base and is a structure of supporting elements and pipes, inside which the laser substance circulates in the form of gas. The optical cavity consists of opposite to each other and mounted on the base of the BRZ and UO. RHL consists of a housing with internal channels and two mirrors, each of which is installed in an angular adjustment slider, equipped with a fixed center and adjusting screws. The UO contains a housing with internal channels and with three mirrors mounted directly on it, the working surfaces of which are mutually perpendicular. The UO provides an optical connection between the resonator mirrors and adds up the optical axis of the resonator with the formation of two parallel sections passing inside the BLV pipes.

The presence of its own carrier base, independent of the gas preparation and supply system, increases the stability of the emitter and its stability when exposed to external factors, and also makes this technical solution more universal and will create the possibility of using it in various types of emitters.

In general, this technical solution has the same advantages and disadvantages as the above.

The technical result obtained by using the proposed technical solution is to reduce the size and weight, as well as increase the stability of the laser emitter.

The specified technical result is achieved by that. that the laser emitter containing mounted on the base of the block of resonator mirrors (BRZ) and an angular reflector (UO), in the housings of which are made channels for the passage of radiation, and a block of laser substance (BLV), the resonator mirrors are optically coupled using an angular reflector, according to the invention is equipped with mounted on the basis of the regulator of divergence of radiation (RIR), containing at least one lens, and the first two-mirror reflector (DO), on which the second two-mirror reflector is mounted, in buildings Uhzirkalnyh reflectors channels are made for the passage of radiation, resonator mirrors are mounted on the housing in quotation frames, the mirrors of each of the first and second two-mirror reflectors are mounted on the housing in quotation frames and are located so that their working surfaces are mutually perpendicular and face one way, at the base channels for the passage of radiation are made, connected to the corresponding channels in the cases of the block of resonator mirrors, the corner reflector and the first two-mirror reflector I, with the formation of a closed volume, between the block of resonator mirrors and the corner reflector on the one hand and the second two-mirror reflector on the other hand, the laser substance block and the radiation divergence regulator are dispersed, the resonator mirrors are optically connected to the corner reflector through two-mirror reflectors, the corner reflector mirrors are mounted on the body while at least two of them are installed in quotation frames.

In addition, to increase the rigidity of the structure, it is possible to manufacture the cases of the first and second DOs in the form of a single part, the chassis of the BRZ and UO in the form of a single part, and it is also possible to manufacture any of the buildings of the BRZ, UO, the first DO in the form of a single part with the base.

RRI, containing at least one lens, and two independent DOs, as well as the presence of a closed region consisting of base channels and housing of the BRZ, UO, and the first DO, made it possible to obtain a resonator with the optical axis as short as possible under the given conditions. The use of the first and second DOs to provide optical communication between the resonator mirrors and the UO, and the presence of base channels, BRZ, UO, DO housings, as well as the location of their mirrors and the location of the BLV, make it possible to realize the most compact design of the resonator. This, along with the used type of fastening of mirrors BRZ, UO, DO, provides high rigidity and structural stability, which in turn increases the stability of the emitter. The installation of at least two UO mirrors in quotation frames, in addition, allows for accurate alignment of the mirrors, which is especially important for the stable operation of the resonator during base deformation caused by thermal and mechanical influences.

All of the above allowed to reduce the size and weight, as well as to increase the stability of the laser emitter.

When analyzing the prior art, no analogues were found that are characterized by features identical to all the essential features of this invention. And also not revealed the fact of the fame of the influence of the signs included in the formula on the technical result of the claimed technical solution. Therefore, the claimed invention meets the conditions of "novelty" and "inventive step".

In FIG. 1 shows a simplified model of a laser emitter.

In FIG. 2 shows the base of a laser emitter.

In FIG. 3 shows an optical diagram of a laser emitter.

In FIG. 4 presents a block of resonator mirrors (RHL).

In FIG. 5 shows a corner reflector (UO).

In FIG. 6 shows the first and second two-mirror reflectors (DO).

In FIG. 7 shows the radiation divergence regulator (RIR).

In FIG. 8 shows a master oscillator based on this technical solution.

The laser emitter (Fig. 1) consists of a base 1 in the form of a plate and one or more blocks of laser substance (BLV) 2, RRI 3 located on it and a multi-mirror optical resonator consisting of BRZ 4, UO 5 and two (the first and second) UP TO 6, 7. BLV means a part of the design of the emitter, which serves to accommodate a laser substance, for example, a quantron for a solid-state laser, a cuvette with gas for a gas laser, etc. In addition, other optical elements (not shown in the figures) may be located on the base. Inside the base 1 (Fig. 2), two (first and second) through channels 1a and 1b are made.

RHL 4 (Fig. 3) contains: body 8, two alignment frames 9, fasteners - screws 10, resonator (rear and output) mirrors 11 and 12, the working surfaces 11a and 12a of which are turned in one direction. Each resonator mirror is mounted in a quotation frame 9. Each of the frames 9 is mounted on the surface of the housing 8 with three protrusions 9a and is pressed by the screws 10. The housing 8 is a single part and contains an internal channel 8a for the passage of radiation connected to the channel 16 of the base 1.

UO 5 (Fig. 4) contains: a housing 13, two alignment frames 9 with projections 9a, screws 10, a plate 14, three mirrors 15 with flat working surfaces 15a. One of the mirrors 15 is mounted directly in the housing, and the other two in quotation frames 9, mounted on the housing 13 similarly to BRZ mirrors. It is possible that all three mirrors 15 are mounted in alignment frames. Mirrors in UO 5 are arranged so that their working surfaces 15a are perpendicular to each other. The housing 13 is a single part and contains an internal channel 13A for the passage of radiation, which is connected at one end to the channel 1a of the base and is closed at the other end by a plate 14 made of a material transparent to laser radiation.

Each DO 6, 7 (Fig. 5) contains: a housing 16 (17), two alignment frames 9 with protrusions 9a, screws 10, two mirrors 15 with flat working surfaces 15a. Each mirror 15 is mounted in a quotation frame 9. Each of the frames 9 is mounted on the surface of the housing 16 similarly to BRZ mirrors. The mirrors in the DO are arranged so that their working surfaces 15a are perpendicular to each other. Each housing 16 (17) is a part with an internal channel 16a (17a) for the passage of radiation. The second DO 7 is installed on the first DO 6 hook, so that the working surfaces 15A of their mirrors are pairwise parallel. Only the housing 16 of the first DO 6 is in contact with the base 1, while its channel 16a is connected at one end to the channel 1a, and the other to the channel 1b of the housing 1.

In some cases, if you do not need to move the second TO relative to the first during the setup and operation of the emitter, their housing 16, 17 can be made in the form of a single part.

To increase the rigidity of the structure and in the presence of technological capabilities, the housing 8 and 13 can be made in the form of a single part. In addition, any of the buildings 8, 13, 16, 17 can be made in the form of a single part with the base 1.

The optical connection of the rear and output mirrors of the resonator is carried out using the mirrors of the UO, the first and second DOs, which add up the optical axis of the resonator with the formation of four parallel segments 18a, 18b, 18c, 18g (Fig. 6). The optical axis of the resonator from the rear mirror 11 (normal to its working surface 11a) extends to the first DO 6 (segment 18a). then, after reflection with mixing (segment 18e) in a plane parallel to the base, it passes to UO 5 (segment 18b), then, after reflection with a displacement (segments 18e) in a plane perpendicular to the base, it passes to the second DO 7 (segment 18c) Then, after reflection with mixing (segment 18g) in a plane parallel to the base, it passes (segment 18g) to the output resonator mirror 12 (normal to its working surface 12a). BLV 2 is located on the surface of the base 1 between the BRZ 4 and UO 5 on the one hand and the second DO 7 on the other side so that the segments of the optical axis 18b and (or) 18g pass through the laser substance 2a.

Around the optical axis part a closed dustproof volume 19 is formed, consisting of base channels and channels of the BRZ, UO, first DO units. The enclosed volume starts from the transparent plate 14 in the VO 5, then follows the channel 13A of the casing UO, which is connected to the first channel 1a of the base, the first channel la of the base is connected to the channel 16a of the housing of the first DO, which is connected to the second channel 1b of the base, the channel of the base is connected to a channel 8a of the BRZ case, which is connected to the rear resonator mirror 11. The volume 19 is protected from dust as follows: mirrors 15 UO 5, the first DO 6 and the rear resonator mirror 11 are glued into the alignment frames 9, the cases 8, 13, 16 are installed Lebanon to the base 1 without a gap, the transparent plate 14 is glued into the housing 13. Sealing adjusting frames 9 occurs by placing the sealing elements (in the simplest case of annular rubber gasket) 20 between the housings 8, 13, 16 and the broken surface 9b quoted rim.

RRI 3 (Fig. 7) can be located (depending on the scheme) on any of the segments 18a, 18b, 18b, 18g and in the simplest case is a lens 21 mounted on the base with the help of an attachment element 22, which can stand out, which, if necessary, allows you to adjust the position of the lens. 13 of the more complex case, the RIR 3 consists of a collecting lens 21 and a diffusing lens 23. The lenses 21, 23 can be located in the channels 1a and 1b of the base, while clamps or glue can act as fixing elements.

When the emitter is operating, the pump energy in the BLV is converted into radiation, which propagates along the optical axis of the resonator and is output through the output mirror. To reduce the length of the optical axis, while maintaining the required radiation quality, the configuration is used, equivalent to the semi-confocal one, which is provided with the help of RIR. To ensure compact design, the optical axis is folded with the help of the UO, as well as the first and second DOs, with some of the segments of the axis passing in the channels made inside the parts of the resonator. The location of the BLV and other overall optical elements of the laser emitter is possible only on the base. The use of UO increases the stability and reliability of the laser emitter, which is explained by its ability to return the reflected beam parallel to the incident. In this case, the correct operation of the EO directly depends on the accuracy of the location of the mirrors, so at least two of its mirrors are aligned. Adjustment of the angular position of the mirrors UO, as well as RHL and the first, second DO is carried out by removing part of the material of the protrusions of the quotation frames. At the same time, it is ensured that the working surfaces of the three protrusions of each frame lie in the same plane, which, along with the absence of any elements (angular quotation movements, spring or elastic elements, quotation screws) between the quotation frame and the BRZ, UO, DO cases, provides stable angular position of the mirrors even under the influence of mechanical and thermal loads. On the optical axis in the interval from the XRD to the region of the waist (neck) of the beam located near the rear resonator mirror, the optical energy density can increase so much that accidentally falling dust particles will cause optical breakdown and, as a result, deterioration of the emitter and damage to optical elements. To prevent this, the channels of the resonator parts in the region of high energy density form a sealed volume that prevents dust from entering.

The technical solution described here was used to create a master oscillator (Fig. 8) of a high-power pulsed diode-pumped solid-state laser and fully confirmed its viability. Two quantrons were used as BLV, and collecting and scattering lenses as RIR. The parameters of the master oscillator: the diameter of the output beam is 2 mm, the length of the optical axis of the resonator is 900 mm. The overall dimensions of the master oscillator are 230 × 105 × 75 mm ³ . Weight - 2.2 kg. The master emitter as a part of the laser withstood transportation over a distance of more than 1000 km and during operation showed stability of the output energy of ± 1%.

Thus, the data presented indicate that when using the claimed invention, the following combination of conditions:

- a tool embodying the claimed device in its implementation, is intended for use in the optical-mechanical industry in the manufacture of optical laser emitters;

- for the claimed device in the form in which it is described in the claims, the possibility of its implementation is confirmed.

Therefore, the claimed invention meets the condition of "industrial applicability".

Claims (4)

1. The laser emitter contains a block of resonator mirrors mounted on the base and an angle reflector, in the housings of which channels for the passage of radiation are made, and a laser substance block, resonator mirrors are optically coupled by means of an angle reflector, characterized in that it is equipped with a divergence regulator mounted on the base radiation containing at least one lens and the first two-mirror reflector, on which the second two-mirror reflector is mounted, in the housings of which channels are made for radiation pass, resonator mirrors are mounted on the housing in alignment frames, the mirrors of each of the first and second two-mirror reflectors are mounted on the housing in alignment frames and are arranged so that their working surfaces are mutually perpendicular and face one way, channels for radiation passage are made at the base connected to the corresponding channels in the cases of the block of resonator mirrors, the corner reflector and the first two-mirror reflector with the formation of a closed volume, between the block m of resonator mirrors and an angular reflector on one side and a second two-mirror reflector on the other hand contain a block of laser substance and a radiation divergence regulator, resonator mirrors are optically coupled to the angular reflector via two-mirror reflectors, corner reflector mirrors are mounted on the body, and at least two of them are installed in adjusting frames. 2. The laser emitter according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing of the first and second two-mirror reflectors are made in the form of a single part. 3. The laser emitter according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing of the block of resonator mirrors and the corner reflector are made in the form of a single part. 4. The laser emitter according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the cases of the block of resonator mirrors, the first two-mirror reflector, and the corner reflector is made in the form of a single part with the base.

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