Folded cavity solid-state laser

• US 20030185266A1
• Filed: 03/26/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Reid Henrichs
• Original Assignee: Joseph Reid Henrichs
• Inventors: Henrichs, Joseph Reid
• Granted Patent: US 6,792,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 372/96
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/08059 Constructional details of the reflector, e.g. shape mirrors in general G02B5/08; mountings for mirrors G02B7/18
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/1085 Oblique facets
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/18341 Intra-cavity contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/18358 containing spacer layers to adjust the phase of the light wave in the cavity

Abstract

(FCSSL) “Folded Cavity Solid-State Laser” comprising a waveguide (35) having at least one total internal reflecting prism (35A) constructed from ion-implanted laser-active material defining a folded cavity, wherein augmentation of intra-cavity produced photonic-radiation occurs during its redirection (42A) from a longitudinal propagation (42B) into a transverse propagation (42C) and back into a longitudinal propagation (42E) within the waveguide (35), an active-region (37) defining a gain-medium that provides stimulated-emission of the spontaneous-emission provided by an electrically pumped active-area (37B), a dichroic-mirror (39) providing feedback and the semi-reflected output of photonic radiation that further defines a vertical cavity.

Claims

1. A folded cavity solid-state laser, comprising:

a) a cavity folding waveguide constructed from an ion implanted laser-active material providing secondary amplification and comprises at least one prism facet providing for the guidance and redirection of photonic radiation using the process of total internal reflection, defining a folded cavity;

b) a semiconductor active-region providing for the production of spontaneous-emission of said photonic-radiation, defining a primary gain-medium, providing for the production of stimulated-emission;

c) a photon reflecting dichroic-mirror capable of reflecting sufficient undiffused photonic radiation, providing feedback and the semi-reflected output of said photonic radiation, defining a vertical cavity, and

whereby, said folded cavity solid-state laser increases modal discrimination by extending its optical cavity length using said waveguide structure, and

whereby, said folded cavity solid-state laser increases the output gain of its laser emissions by constructing said waveguide structure from an ion-implanted laser-active medium material.