Patent ID: 6792027
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An integrated laser oscillator-amplifier system comprising:a laser oscillator having a gain medium and a long resonant cavity, wherein said long resonant cavity is formed by a first mirror and a second mirror, and wherein said gain medium is located inside said long resonant cavity; a laser amplifier having said gain medium and a short resonant cavity of 10 cm or shorter, wherein said short resonant cavity is formed by said first mirror and a third mirror, and wherein said third mirror has low reflectivity and is inserted between said gain medium and said second mirror; and a pump laser pulse having a predetermined pulse duration of approximate 100 ns and a pulse energy of about 3 to 10 mJ, wherein said pump laser pulse impinges and excites said gain medium to produce a transient gain profile; wherein said laser oscillator pre-lases to produce a seed laser pulse and said laser oscillator-amplifier system produces a single amplified laser pulse with pulse duration shorter than 10 ns.