Pulse pumping an optically pumped laser
First Claim
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1. In an optically pumped laser having a gaseous discharge flashlamp for pumping the laser and a pulsing circuit that generates flashlamp current pulses, the improvement wherein said pulsing circuit comprises:
- a high current switching transistor in series with said flashlamp and connected to a source of dc voltage;
a control circuit for generating base drive pulses which render said switching transistor conductive to pulse said flashlamp;
wherein said switching transistor is a Darlington pair and said control circuit injects currents into the base of both transistors; and
means in parallel with said switching transistor to provide a path for flashlamp simmer current during nonconducting intervals of said switching transistor.
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Abstract
An efficient power supply employs a high current switching transistor to pulse a flashlamp for optical pumping in lasers, such as an Nd:YAG laser at high pulse repetition frequencies. The pulsing circuit offers a simple, flexible, and precise means of pump pulse control. Flashlamp simmer current is provided from the constant dc voltage source with a resistor in parallel with the switching transistor.
37 Citations
6 Claims
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1. In an optically pumped laser having a gaseous discharge flashlamp for pumping the laser and a pulsing circuit that generates flashlamp current pulses, the improvement wherein said pulsing circuit comprises:
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a high current switching transistor in series with said flashlamp and connected to a source of dc voltage; a control circuit for generating base drive pulses which render said switching transistor conductive to pulse said flashlamp; wherein said switching transistor is a Darlington pair and said control circuit injects currents into the base of both transistors; and means in parallel with said switching transistor to provide a path for flashlamp simmer current during nonconducting intervals of said switching transistor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In an optically pumped, Q-switched Nd:
- YAG laser having a gaseous discharge flashlamp for pumping the laser and a pulsing circuit that generates flashlamp current pulses, the improvement wherein said pulsing circuit comprises;
- View Dependent Claims (6)
- YAG laser having a gaseous discharge flashlamp for pumping the laser and a pulsing circuit that generates flashlamp current pulses, the improvement wherein said pulsing circuit comprises;
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5. a high current Darlington switching transistor in series with said flashlamp and connected to a source of constant dc voltage;
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a control circuit for generating adjustable pulse length and repetition frequency base drive pulses which render said switching transistor conductive to pulse said flashlamp; and a resistor in parallel with said switching transistor to provide a path for flashlamp simmer current during nonconducting intervals of said switching transistor.
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Specification