Laser indication light configuration

• US 20020141460A1
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress+Hauser Optical Analysis Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc. (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Slater, Joseph B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,859,660 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 372/23
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2025 with a pilot laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/049 against light, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/702 Auxiliary equipment

Abstract

Indicator light apparatus and methods associated with a laser beam having a primary wavelength enable an operator to see the indicator while wearing protective eyewear tuned to the primary wavelength. The apparatus includes a source of indicator light other than the primary wavelength, a first optical element for co-injecting the indicator light into the laser beam to form a co-propagating beam, and an optical or physical configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam. The first optical element may be some form of beam splitter or combiner, and the configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam uses a diffuser upon which the co-propagating beam impinges. The indicator light is preferably derived from an inexpensive source, such as a diode laser operating in the 670-690 nm range. The invention is useful in many different environments, including stimulate emission systems, wherein one or more optical elements are used to direct the laser beam onto a sample to stimulate an optical emission therefrom. The stimulated emission may be representative of a Raman or fluorescence spectrum, for example.

Claims

7. A method of ensuring that an operator wearing protective eyewear tuned to a primary wavelength is aware that the laser is on or off, comprising the steps of:

providing a source of indicator light other than the primary wavelength;

co-injecting the indicator light into the laser beam to form a co-propagating beam; and

viewing light from the co-propagating beam through the protective eyewear.

1. Indicator light apparatus for a laser beam having a primary wavelength enabling an operator to see the indicator while wearing protective eyewear tuned to the primary wavelength, the apparatus comprising:

a source of indicator light other than the primary wavelength;

a first optical element for co-injecting the indicator light into the laser beam to form a co-propagating beam; and

a configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam.

2. The indicator light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first optical element is a beam combiner.

3. The indicator light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam includes a diffuser upon which the co-propagating beam impinges.

4. The indicator light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator light is in the 670-690 nm range.

5. The indicator light apparatus of claim 1, further including:

one or more optical elements for directing the laser beam onto a sample to stimulate an optical emission therefrom; and

one or more optical elements to collect the stimulated emission for analysis purposes.

6. The indicator light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stimulated emission is representative of a Raman or fluorescence spectrum.

8. The method of claim 7, further including the step of providing a diffuser to receive the co-propagating beam, thereby enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the indicator light is in the 670-690 nm range.

10. The method of claim 7, further including the steps of:

directing the laser beam onto a sample to stimulate an optical emission therefrom; and

collecting the stimulated emission for analysis purposes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the stimulated emission is representative of a Raman or fluorescence spectrum.

13. The improvement of claim 12, wherein the indicator light is in the 670-690 nm range.

14. The improvement of claim 13, wherein the stimulated emission is representative of a Raman or fluorescence spectrum.

12. In an optical system involving a laser beam operating at a primary wavelength and an operator wearing laser protective eyewear, the improvement comprising:

merging indicator light of a wavelength other than that of the laser into the primary beam, enabling an operator to see the indicator light while wearing protective eyewear tuned to the primary wavelength.

13-1. The improvement of claim 12, wherein the system is a stimulated emission system.