Patent ID: 6693922
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A laser rod providing optical gain while permitting thermal birefringence correction, comprising:a composite structure including: a first optical gain medium; a second optical gain medium; and an optical rotator comprising at least first and second waveplates optically coupled to one another and oriented with respect to one another by a predetermined angle; wherein: said first waveplate receives a polarized beam having a first state; second waveplate produces the polarized beam having a second state, said first and second states differing from one another by 90Â°; and said first optical gain medium, said optical rotator, and said second optical gain medium are arranged in the recited order along a common optical axis, said first and said second optical gain media comprising Yb:YAG or Nd:YAG and said optical rotator comprises sapphire.