Patent ID: 6826204
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: B23K,H01S

Abstract:
A Q-switched CO2 laser system for material processing, the system comprising:an optical cavity; a gain medium positioned within the optical cavity; a Q-switch operative to switch the cavity between a high loss state and a low loss state, wherein during the high loss state a gain in the gain medium increases and thereafter when the Q-switch is changed to a low loss state the gain in the gain medium is depleted creating a high peak power pulse and thereafter when the Q-switch is changed to a high loss state the Q-switch pulse is coupled out of the cavity; an optical detector operable to detect an emission of the Q-switch pulse and generate an output signal in response thereto; a timer operable to provide a control signal to the Q-switch in response to the output signal for switching back to the high loss state, thereby controlling the length of the generated Q-switch pulse.