Pulsed, Internal Optical Mixer

摘要

Pulsed, coherent light is generated by optical mixing which takes place inside the resonator of a pulsed laser oscillator. One of the beams to be mixed is generated by the pulsed laser, and the other by a distinct, external laser oscillator. If the light from the external oscillator is modulated, that modulation will be transferred onto the light generated by the optical mixing. This enables modulated light at an expanded range of wavelengths. Using sum frequency generation, light for sodium excitation, such as for a guide star, can be generated with the optimal modulation of spectral and temporal properties. If the type of optical mixing is difference frequency generation, optical parametric amplifiers with improved efficiency and beam quality are enabled.

主权项

1. An apparatus for generating a beam of pulsed coherent light, comprising:
a. a first laser oscillator producing a beam of coherent light at a first optical frequency, b. a second laser oscillator having internally circulating pulsed coherent light at a second optical frequency, c. a nonlinear crystal traversed by said internally circulating pulsed coherent light at said second optical frequency, d. means for directing said beam of coherent light at said first optical frequency so that it passes once through said nonlinear crystal,whereby said beam of pulsed coherent light is generated at a third optical frequency by optical mixing in said nonlinear crystal.