LIMITED DIFFRACTION FEEDBACK LASER SYSTEM HAVING A CONTROLLED DISTORTION CAVITY-FEEDBACK MIRROR

Assignee

CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC, THE, 555 TECHNOLOGY SQUARE, CAMBRIDGE, MA. 02139, A CORP. OF MA.

Filed

Oct 28, 1985

Granted

Sep 20, 1988

Location

SUDBURY MA US

Abstract

A low diffraction-feedback high-energy laser system includes an injection laser, a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA), and means for aligning the injection laser to the MOPA. The alignment means includes a relay mirror and sensor array cooperative to center the injection laser externally of the cavity, and the alignment means further includes a relay mirror and cooperative optics and sensor to center the injection laser interiorly of the cavity. Means are disclosed preferably for balancing the heat distribution on both sides of one cavity mirror of the master oscillator power amplifier cavity to maintain its figure undistorted against thermal loading. A composite sensor for providing a dual-sensing capability is disclosed including a mosaic array and a superposed quad sensor. The master oscillator power amplifier preferably includes a convex and a concave cavity reflector. In one embodiment, an intracavity laser separator is disclosed for providing alignment of the injection laser, and in a further embodiment an extracavity laser separator is disclosed for providing injection laser alignment. In both embodiments, a sensor mounted to the convex reflector is operative to provide a signal indication of cavity turbulence.

Source: Google Patents