| 摘要 |
A multiple gain-element ring laser has the capability of being scaled to higher CW or pulsed output powers. Optical pumping is accommodated in a plurality of optically interconnected single gain-element "building blocks", each made up of a mirror associated with a gain element, such as Nd:YAG or Nd:YVO4, pumped by the optical pumping light from, for example, separate diodes in a focus (waist) at or near an exterior face of each gain element. A resonator mode is established in each gain element which also comes to a focus (waist) at or near the same exterior face in each gain element of the multi-element ring laser. Concatenating the gain elements and the associated mirrors into a desired multiple gain-element ring laser configuration provides for good overlap between the pump light from the several diodes and the resonator mode to achieve desired power levels at an improved efficiency. inclusion of a Q-switch and/or mode locker provides Q-switched and/or mode locked operation. Inclusion of a nonlinear crystal allows a high energy efficiency conversion to a different frequency. All gain elements, mirrors and intra-cavity elements are provided with appropriate optical coatings. Second harmonic generation is a selectable option that is also single frequency and amplitude stable. A further feature is that wavelength tuning is provided for by, for example, mounting one of the ring elements on a piezoelectric driven mount.
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