Solid Laser System and Method for the Operation Thereof

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

The invention describes a solid-state laser system with a longitudinal excitation (pumping) configuration. The system uses a laser-active solid material as the lasing medium, and a laser diode arrangement as the excitation source, which delivers high-power pulsed beams (at least 400 W pulse peak power) into the lasing medium via a fiber launching device. The setup provides high energy pulses, high efficiency, and good laser beam quality with a relatively simple and robust design.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Material processing (e.g., cutting, welding, engraving) in industry
• Scientific research requiring high-peak-power laser pulses
• Precision medical procedures, such as laser surgery or dermatology
• LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems and remote sensing
• Laser-based marking and micro-machining
• Pumping other laser systems (as a master oscillator or power amplifier)
• Defense applications such as range finding or target designation

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• High pulse energy output similar to lamp-pumped systems, but with significantly lower energy consumption and cooling requirements
• Excellent laser beam quality (near-Gaussian profile possible) for precise applications
• Compact, scalable, and mechanically robust design, simplifying integration into various devices
• High operational efficiency (up to 57% shown in examples, much higher than some alternatives)
• Long operational life and low maintenance due to the use of laser diodes (as opposed to lamps which require frequent replacement)
• Greater thermal management and reduced thermal stress, supporting higher stability and reliability
• Flexible adaptation to different types of laser-active materials for various wavelength and performance requirements

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a solid laser system with a longitudinal excitation configuration, as well as to a method for operating it. The solid laser has the following features: a laser medium (1), which is arrangement inside a laser resonator (5) and formed from a laser-active solid material, and excitation source (2) with a laser diode arrangement that is configured for generating pulsed excitation beams, and; a fiber launching device, which is configured for launching pulsed excitation beams from the excitation source (2) along the optical axis of the laser resonator (5) into the laser medium (1). The laser diode arrangement is configured in such a manner that the pulsed excitation beams are supplied with a pulse peak power of at least 400 W.