LASER BEAM ALIGNMENT AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM

摘要

The invention relates to a system for aligning a high-power laser apparatus to transmit a high-power beam along an optimum beam path to an adjustable remote beam receiver and for aligning the beam receiver for optimum reception of the high-power beam. A low-power visible laser is directed along the path to be followed by the high-power laser and a viewer such as a video camera is used for rough alignment. A pellicle, a partially reflecting mirror, and three low-power beam detectors are used with the low-power laser to align the beam transmitter with the beam receiver. Alignment of the beam receiver with the beam transmitter is checked by a high-power laser beam alignment checking system. This alignment checking system employs an annular beam detector mounted near the beam transmitter and a second beam detector mounted near the beam receiver. A beam intensity reducer is used to reduce the intensity of the high-power beam for use in alignment since prolonged direct contact by a full-power beam with the detectors would damage the detectors. A method for aligning the laser beam transmitter and receiver is also described.