US3679998A - Laser flashtube triggering arrangement - Google Patents
Laser flashtube triggering arrangement Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3679998A US3679998A US108487A US3679998DA US3679998A US 3679998 A US3679998 A US 3679998A US 108487 A US108487 A US 108487A US 3679998D A US3679998D A US 3679998DA US 3679998 A US3679998 A US 3679998A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- primary winding
- laser
- flashtube
- coupled
- power supply
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
- H01F27/00—Details of transformers or inductances, in general
- H01F27/40—Structural association with built-in electric component, e.g. fuse
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01S—DEVICES 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
- H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
- H01S3/09—Processes or apparatus for excitation, e.g. pumping
- H01S3/091—Processes or apparatus for excitation, e.g. pumping using optical pumping
- H01S3/0915—Processes or apparatus for excitation, e.g. pumping using optical pumping by incoherent light
- H01S3/092—Processes or apparatus for excitation, e.g. pumping using optical pumping by incoherent light of flash lamp
Definitions
- the trigger transformer for the disclosed laser excitation arrangement includes a spool-like ceramic core having a pair of radially outwardly extending annular end wall portions and defining an elongated laser cavity along its axis.
- a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings are coaxially wound about the core at different radial locations, with the secondary windings disposed radially inwardly of the primary winding and with an electrical conductor interconnecting the longitudinally opposite ends of each pair of successive secondary windings.
- a layer of plastic is disposed between each secondary winding and the adjacent interconnecting conductor and between the outermost secondary winding and the primary winding, while epoxy resin potting surrounds the primary and secondary windings and the interconnecting conductors.
- a laser rod and a flashtube are mounted parallel to one another within the laser cavity.
- Electrical excitation circuitry includes an RC pulse-forming network coupled to the flashtube and a triggering network including a silicon controlled rectifier coupled to the transformer primary winding.
- Prior art schemes for triggering laser flashtubes have included both series and shunt triggering arrangements.
- the triggering pulse (which ionizes the flasthtube gas) is applied directly to an electrode of the flasthtube, for example by means of a trigger transformer having its secondary winding connected in series with the flashtube electrodes. Since with series triggering arrangements the transformer secondary winding provides a return path for flashtube discharge current, the transformer must be designed to handle relatively large currents such as several hundred amperes. Transformers having this capability are usually large, heavy and expensive.
- the flashtube gas is initially ionized by an electric field generated from current flow in a triggering wire wound about the outer surface of the flashtube.
- the triggering wire is connected to the secondary winding of a trigger transformer located externally of the laser pumping cavity. Since the flashtube discharge current does not flow through the trigger transformer in a shunt triggering arrangement, considerably smaller and lighter transformers can be used than with series triggering arrangements. Nevertheless, since triggering voltages of 25,000 volts or more are still required for certain flashtubes, conductors which carry the triggering potential into the laser cavity must be insulated to withstand these high potentials. Thus, even with shunt triggering arrangements, provision of the necessary lead insulation greatly adds to the size, weight and cost of the overall laser device.
- An arrangement according to the invention includes a transformer having a spool-like core member of electrically insulating material defining an elongated laser cavity along its axis.
- a primary winding and at least one secondary winding are coaxially wound about the core member with the secondary winding disposed radially inwardly of the primary winding.
- An element of laser material and a flashtube are mounted parallel to one another within the laser cavity.
- Electrical excitation circuitry includes a pulse-forming network coupled to the flashtube and a circuit for applying trigger pulses to the primary winding of the transformer.
- FIGURE is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in circuit schematic form, illustrating an arrangement in accordance with the invention.
- a laser flashtube triggering arrangement includes a transformer wound on a spool-like electrically insulating core 12.
- the transformer core 12 is preferably of a ceramic material such as beryllia or alumina, although other electrically insulating materials are also suitable.
- the core l2 is provided with a pair of radially outwardly extending annular wall portions 13 and 14, respectively, at opposite ends thereof and defines an elongated axial hole 15 which functions as the laser cavity for the device.
- the cavity 15 may have the configuration of a circular cylinder, an elliptic cylinder, or a near elliptic cylinder, for example. If desired, a coating of a highly reflective material such as gold or silver may be provided on the wall of cavity 15.
- An elongated element 16 of laser material and a pumping flashtube 18 are mounted (by means not shown) parallel to one another within the laser cavity 15.
- the laser element 16 is preferably a rod of solid material such as Nd:YAG, Nd:glass, ruby, etc, any laser medium capable of being optically pumped may be employed.
- the flashtube 118 is selected in accordance with the particular laser excitation desired and usually contains krypton or xenon gas.
- an [.909-001 xenon flash lamp manufactured by ILC of Sunnyvale, California may be employed for the flashtube 18.
- the pulse-forming network 20 includes an inductor 22 connected between the adjacent electrode of the flashtube l8 and a power supply terminal 24 furnishing a DC voltage +V and a capacitor 26 connected between terminal 24 and the ground level.
- inductor 22 may provide an inductance of around 50 nh
- capacitor 26 may have a capacitance of about 20 ,uf
- V may be around 1000 volts.
- the transformer 10 includes a primary winding 30 and at least one secondary winding 32 wound coaxially with and radially inwardly of the primary winding 30.
- a plurality of series connected secondary windings 32 are coaxially wound about the core 12 at different radial locations, with the longitudinally opposite ends of each pair of successive secondary windings 32 being interconnected by means of a conductor 34. It is pointed out that although three secondary windings 32 are illustrated, any practical number may be employed depending upon particular design requirements.
- a primary winding 30 of 50 turns and three secondary windings 32 of 1,000 turns each would be appropriate for a transformer 10 designed to step up an input voltage pulse of 500 volts amplitude to a 30,000 volt level at the far end 36 of the innermost secondary winding 32.
- a layer 38 of electrically insulating material such as plastic is disposed between each secondary winding 32 and the adjacent interconnecting conductor 34 as well as between the outermost secondary winding 32 and the primary winding 30, and outwardly of the primary winding 30.
- the remaining space between the transformer core end wall portions 13 and 14 is provided with a suitable high voltage potting 40, of epoxy resin for example, in order to further insulate the windings 30 and 32 and electrical conductors 34.
- the network 42 includes a current limiting resistor 44 and the anode-cathode path of a silicon controlled rectifier 46 connected in series between a power supply terminal 48 and ground.
- the power supply terminal 48 furnishes a DC voltage +V which, for the aforementioned transformer parameter values, may be around 500 volts, for example.
- the silicon controlled rectifier 46 has a gate electrode connected to a terminal S0 to which input trigger pulses are applied.
- a capacitor 52 which for the aforementioned transformer parameter values may provide a capacitance of around 1.0 ,uf, is connected between the adjacent and of primary winding 30 and the junction between resistor 44 and silicon controlled rectifier 46.
- the silicon controlled rectifier 46 is initially non- A voltage is induced in the transformer secondary windings 32 creating an electric field within the laser cavity 15. This electric field produces sufficient ionization of the gas within the 18 which is maintained for a duration of time determined by the time constant of the pulse-forming network 20. As the discharge proceeds, the flashtube 18 emits pumping radiation which excites the laser medium 16 to a lasing state.
- a triggering voltage of around 30,000 volts is produced at end 36 of the transformer secondary winding 32.
- this high voltage is insulated from the laser cavity 15 not only by the transformer core 12, but by the potting 40 as wellQMoreOver, no special insulated conductors or other arrangements are needed for transporting the triggering voltage into the laser cavity 15.
- a laser flashtube triggering arrangement is provided which is compact light, and inexpensive, and in which reliable flashtube triggering is insured without the danger of arcing within the laser cavity.
- a transformer including a spool-shaped member of electrically insulating material the core portion of which defines an elongated laser pump cavity along the axis thereof, a primary winding and at least one secondary winding coaxially wound about said spool-shaped member with said secondary winding disposed radially inwardly of said primary winding;
- electrical excitation means including a pulse forming network coupled to said flashtube and means for applying trigger pulses to said primary winding.
- a laser excitation arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said transformer includes a plurality of secondary windings connected in series with one another and coaxially wound about said spool-shaped member at difierent radial locations inwardly of said primary winding.
- said pulse-forming network includes a capacitor coupled between a pair of power supply terminals, an inductor coupled between one of said pair of power supply terminals flashtube 18 to establish an electric discharge in the flashtube and an electrode of said flashtube, and the other electrode of said flashtube being coupled to the other of said pair of power supply terminals.
- said means for applying trigger pulses to said primary winding includes a controlled rectifier having a current path and a control electrode, said current path and a resistor being coupled in series between a pair of power supply terminals, a capacitor coupled between a terminal of said primary winding and the junction between said resistor and said controlled rectifier, another terminal of said primary winding being coupled to one of said pair of power supply terminals, and means for applying input pulses to the control electrode of said controlled rectifier.
- a transformer including a spool-shaped core member of electrically insulating material, said core member defining a pair of radially outwardly extending annular wall portions at opposite ends thereof and further defining an elongated laser pump cavity along the axis thereof, a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings coaxially wound about said core member at different radial locations with said secondary windings disposed radially inwardly of said primary winding, an end of said primary winding being electrically connected to an end of the outermost secondary winding, an electrical conductor interconnecting the longitudinally opposite ends of each pair of successive secondary windings, a layer of electrically insulating material disposed between each secondary winding and the adjacent interconnecting conductor and between said outermost secondary winding and said primary winding, and electrically insulating potting material disposed between said annular wall portions and surrounding said primary and secondary windings and each a said interconnecting conductor;
- electrical excitation means including a pulse-forming network coupled to said flashtube and means for applying trigger pulses to said primary winding.
- said electrical excitation means includes first, second and third power supply terminals, an inductor coupled between said first power supply terminal and an electrode of said flashtube, the other electrode of said flashtube being coupled to said third power supply terminal, a first capacitor coupled between said first and third power supply terminals, a controlled rectifier having a current path and a control electrode, a resistor and said current path being coupled in series between said second and third powersupply terminals, said third power supply terminal being coupled to said end of said primary winding, -a second capacitor coupled between the other end of said primary winding and the junction between said resistor and said controlled rectifier, and means for applying input pulses to the control electrode of said controlled rectifier.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Generation Of Surge Voltage And Current (AREA)
- Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
- Insulators (AREA)
- Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
- Lasers (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10848771A | 1971-01-21 | 1971-01-21 | |
FR727201756A FR2122526B1 (de) | 1971-01-21 | 1972-01-19 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3679998A true US3679998A (en) | 1972-07-25 |
Family
ID=26216848
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US108487A Expired - Lifetime US3679998A (en) | 1971-01-21 | 1971-01-21 | Laser flashtube triggering arrangement |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3679998A (de) |
CH (1) | CH544425A (de) |
DE (1) | DE2201295C3 (de) |
FR (1) | FR2122526B1 (de) |
GB (1) | GB1305530A (de) |
NL (1) | NL156274B (de) |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4010397A (en) * | 1975-10-30 | 1977-03-01 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Flashlamp triggering arrangements for pressurized gas cooled lasers |
US4035691A (en) * | 1975-08-04 | 1977-07-12 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Pulsed laser excitation source |
US6288499B1 (en) * | 1997-06-12 | 2001-09-11 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Electromagnetic energy distributions for electromagnetically induced mechanical cutting |
US6326876B1 (en) * | 1998-07-09 | 2001-12-04 | Delta Electronics Inc. | Bobbin and its producing method |
US20050281887A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2005-12-22 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Fluid conditioning system |
US20060033963A1 (en) * | 2004-08-10 | 2006-02-16 | Hirobumi Nishida | Image processing device, image processing method, image processing program, and recording medium |
US20060126680A1 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2006-06-15 | Dmitri Boutoussov | Dual pulse-width medical laser |
US20060142745A1 (en) * | 2004-08-13 | 2006-06-29 | Dmitri Boutoussov | Dual pulse-width medical laser with presets |
US20060240381A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2006-10-26 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Fluid conditioning system |
US20060241574A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2006-10-26 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Electromagnetic energy distributions for electromagnetically induced disruptive cutting |
US7320594B1 (en) | 1995-08-31 | 2008-01-22 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Fluid and laser system |
US20080157690A1 (en) * | 2001-05-02 | 2008-07-03 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Electromagnetic energy distributions for electromagnetically induced mechanical cutting |
US20090143775A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2009-06-04 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Medical laser having controlled-temperature and sterilized fluid output |
US20090141752A1 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2009-06-04 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Dual pulse-width medical laser with presets |
US20100125291A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2010-05-20 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Drill and flavored fluid particles combination |
US20100151406A1 (en) * | 2004-01-08 | 2010-06-17 | Dmitri Boutoussov | Fluid conditioning system |
US20100185188A1 (en) * | 1997-06-12 | 2010-07-22 | Dmitri Boutoussov | Electromagnetically induced treatment devices and methods |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3112594A1 (de) * | 1981-03-30 | 1982-10-14 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | Impulstransformator zum zuenden der pumplichtquelle in einer impulslaseranordnung |
DE3130419A1 (de) * | 1981-07-31 | 1983-02-17 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | Optischer sender (laser) |
DE3240359A1 (de) * | 1982-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | W.C. Heraeus Gmbh, 6450 Hanau | "elektrode fuer laseranregungslampen" |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2655623A (en) * | 1950-03-11 | 1953-10-13 | Rca Corp | Electrical transformer |
US3568116A (en) * | 1966-09-07 | 1971-03-02 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | Process and apparatus for transferring energy to an electrically conductive medium |
-
1971
- 1971-01-21 US US108487A patent/US3679998A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1972
- 1972-01-11 CH CH34972A patent/CH544425A/de not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1972-01-12 GB GB140072A patent/GB1305530A/en not_active Expired
- 1972-01-12 DE DE2201295A patent/DE2201295C3/de not_active Expired
- 1972-01-18 NL NL7200713.A patent/NL156274B/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1972-01-19 FR FR727201756A patent/FR2122526B1/fr not_active Expired
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2655623A (en) * | 1950-03-11 | 1953-10-13 | Rca Corp | Electrical transformer |
US3568116A (en) * | 1966-09-07 | 1971-03-02 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | Process and apparatus for transferring energy to an electrically conductive medium |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
Harper, Machine Design, June 9, 1966, pp. 150 173. * |
Cited By (28)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4035691A (en) * | 1975-08-04 | 1977-07-12 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Pulsed laser excitation source |
US4010397A (en) * | 1975-10-30 | 1977-03-01 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Flashlamp triggering arrangements for pressurized gas cooled lasers |
US20060240381A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2006-10-26 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Fluid conditioning system |
US20050281887A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2005-12-22 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Fluid conditioning system |
US8033825B2 (en) | 1995-08-31 | 2011-10-11 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Fluid and pulsed energy output system |
US20100125291A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2010-05-20 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Drill and flavored fluid particles combination |
US7696466B2 (en) | 1995-08-31 | 2010-04-13 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Electromagnetic energy distributions for electromagnetically induced mechanical cutting |
US20060241574A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2006-10-26 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Electromagnetic energy distributions for electromagnetically induced disruptive cutting |
US20070014322A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2007-01-18 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Electromagnetic energy distributions for electromagnetically induced mechanical cutting |
US7320594B1 (en) | 1995-08-31 | 2008-01-22 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Fluid and laser system |
US20090143775A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2009-06-04 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Medical laser having controlled-temperature and sterilized fluid output |
US20080151953A1 (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 2008-06-26 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Electromagnet energy distributions for electromagnetically induced mechanical cutting |
US6288499B1 (en) * | 1997-06-12 | 2001-09-11 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Electromagnetic energy distributions for electromagnetically induced mechanical cutting |
US20100185188A1 (en) * | 1997-06-12 | 2010-07-22 | Dmitri Boutoussov | Electromagnetically induced treatment devices and methods |
US20100233645A1 (en) * | 1997-12-05 | 2010-09-16 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Efficient laser and fluid conditioning and cutting system |
US6326876B1 (en) * | 1998-07-09 | 2001-12-04 | Delta Electronics Inc. | Bobbin and its producing method |
US20080157690A1 (en) * | 2001-05-02 | 2008-07-03 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Electromagnetic energy distributions for electromagnetically induced mechanical cutting |
US20080138764A1 (en) * | 2003-05-09 | 2008-06-12 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Fluid and laser system |
US20100151406A1 (en) * | 2004-01-08 | 2010-06-17 | Dmitri Boutoussov | Fluid conditioning system |
US7630420B2 (en) | 2004-07-27 | 2009-12-08 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Dual pulse-width medical laser |
US20090141752A1 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2009-06-04 | Rizoiu Ioana M | Dual pulse-width medical laser with presets |
US20080212624A1 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2008-09-04 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Dual pulse-width medical laser |
US20060126680A1 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2006-06-15 | Dmitri Boutoussov | Dual pulse-width medical laser |
US7957440B2 (en) | 2004-07-27 | 2011-06-07 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Dual pulse-width medical laser |
US7970030B2 (en) | 2004-07-27 | 2011-06-28 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Dual pulse-width medical laser with presets |
US20060033963A1 (en) * | 2004-08-10 | 2006-02-16 | Hirobumi Nishida | Image processing device, image processing method, image processing program, and recording medium |
US20060142745A1 (en) * | 2004-08-13 | 2006-06-29 | Dmitri Boutoussov | Dual pulse-width medical laser with presets |
US8485818B2 (en) | 2009-12-04 | 2013-07-16 | Biolase, Inc. | Fluid controller |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR2122526A1 (de) | 1972-09-01 |
NL156274B (nl) | 1978-03-15 |
CH544425A (de) | 1973-12-28 |
NL7200713A (de) | 1972-07-25 |
FR2122526B1 (de) | 1974-07-26 |
DE2201295C3 (de) | 1974-04-11 |
GB1305530A (de) | 1973-02-07 |
DE2201295A1 (de) | 1972-08-10 |
DE2201295B2 (de) | 1973-09-13 |
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