Solid state laser master oscillator gain module

• US 6,301,277 B1
• Filed: 11/20/1998
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TRW Inc. (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Tinti, Robert, Kleve, Stener, Hilyard, Rodger C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Armando
• Application Number:
  US09/197,285
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 372/35, 372/70, 372/92, 372/98, 372/109, 359/333
• US Class Current: 372/35
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/025 of solid state lasers, e.g. housings or mountings
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/0407 Liquid cooling, e.g. by water
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/042 for solid state lasers H01S3/0401 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/0606 with polygonal cross-section, e.g. slab, prism H01S3/0604 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/0941 of a laser diode

Abstract

A gain module is provided for a master oscillator pumped amplifier system of a solid state laser including a ceramic housing supporting a Nd:YAG lasing slab therein. The slab is fixed relative to the housing by a pair of oppositely disposed compliant and optically transmissive securing members fictionally wedged between the housing and the lasing slab. A plurality of fluid passages are formed in the housing so as to communicate with the lasing slab. As fluid overflows the slab, the compliant securing members prevent the slab from vibrating. Preferably, the securing members are formed as U-shaped polycarbonate bars frictionally engaging the slab on a first surface and positionally adjustable driver bars coupled to the housing via a set screw block on a second surface.

Claims

1. A gain module for a master oscillator pumped amplifier system comprising:

a housing including coolant passages formed therein;

a lasing slab positioned within said housing so as to be in coolant receiving relation to said coolant passages;

a compliant and optically transmissive securing member coupled to said housing along a first surface and frictionally engaging said lasing slab along a second surface so as to prevent said lasing slab from vibrating when impacted with coolant from said coolant passages; and

a positionally adjustable driving member interposed between said securing member and said housing for urging said securing member against said lasing slab.

2. The gain module of claim 1 wherein said securing member further comprises a polycarbonate member.

3. The gain module of claim 1 further comprising a second compliant and optically transmissive securing member coupled to said housing along a first surface and frictionally engaging said lasing slab along a second surface.

4. The gain module of claim 1 wherein said securing member further comprises a generally rectangularly shaped bar having a slot formed therein along a longitudinal axis.

5. The gain module of claim 4 wherein said bar flares outwardly towards said second surface.

6. The gain module of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a base member including said fluid passages formed therein and a pair of housing members vertically coupled to said base member and on opposite sides of said slab.

7. The gain module of claim 1 wherein said lasing slab further comprises an Nd:

YAG crystal.

8. A gain module for a master oscillator pumped amplifier system comprising:

a metallic base member including slab coolant passages formed therein;

a first housing vertically coupled to said base member;

a second housing vertically coupled to said base member in spaced relation to said first housing;

a metallic top member coupled to said first and second housings opposite said base member;

an Nd;

YAG lasing slab positioned between said first and second housings and in fluid receiving relation To said slab coolant passages of said base member;

a first U-shaped polycarbonate edge bar frictionally engaging a first edge of said lasing slab;

a second U-shaped polycarbonate edge bar frictionally engaging a second edge of said lasing slab;

a first ceramic driver bar frictionally engaging said first edge bar along a first surface and coupled to said top member along a second surface; and

a second ceramic driver bar frictionally engaging said second edge bar along a first surface and coupled to said base member along a second surface.

9. The gain module of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of set screws coupling said first driver bar to said top member such that a compressive force generated across said first edge bar by said first driver bar relative to said lasing slab can be adjusted.

10. The gain module of claim 8 further comprising at least one fastening element disposed between said top member and said base member for preventing a coupling force therebetween from damaging said first and second housings.

11. The gain module of claim 8 further comprising a first diode translation stage disposed adjacent to said first housing.

12. The gain module of claim 11 further comprising a second diode translation stage disposed adjacent to said second housing.

13. The gain module of claim 12 further comprising a first lens coupled to in said first diode translation stage, a second lens coupled to said second translation stage, a first diode coupled to said first diode translation stage adjacent said first lens and a second diode coupled to said second diode translation stage adjacent said second lens.

14. A lasing slab holder for a gain module of a master oscillator pumped amplifier system comprising a polycarbonate member frictionally wedged between a housing of said gain module and a lasing slab disposed therein, wherein said polycarbonate member further comprises a U-shaped bar including a top surface coupled to said housing and a pair of legs perpendicularly projecting from said top surface in spaced relation to one another, each of said legs including a distal end, said polycarbonate member only engaging said lasing slab along said distal end.

15. The lasing slab holder of claim 14 wherein each of said legs includes a generally planar in board surface and an arcuate outboard surface.

16. The lasing slab holder of claim 14 further comprising a second polycarbonate member frictionally wedged between said housing and said lasing slab opposite said other polycarbonate member.

17. A gain module for a master oscillator pumped amplifier system comprising:

a base member;

a first housing vertically coupled to said base member;

a second housing vertically coupled to said base member in spaced relation to said first housing;

a top member coupled to said first and second housings opposite said base member;

a first diode translation stage disposed adjacent to said first housing;

a first lens mounted to said first diode translation stage;

a first diode coupled to said first diode translation stage and optically communicating with said first lens;

a second diode translation stage disposed adjacent to said second housing;

a second lens mounted to said second diode translation stage;

a second diode coupled to said second diode translation stage and optically communicating with said second lens; and

a lasing slab positioned between said first and second housings and in radiation receiving relation to said first and second diode by way of said first and second lenses, wherein said first and second diode translation stages are positionally adjustable so that a distance, height, and angle of said first and second diodes may be varied relative to said lasing slab while said gain module is in operation.