Patent ID: 6493364
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A beam shutter for controlling the passage of a high-power laser beam, comprising:a support base fixed in relation to a beam path of the laser beam, said support base including an entry face, an exit face and a channel formed between the entry and exit faces for permitting the laser beam to pass therethrough; a mirror support including a mirror face and an opposing face opposite the mirror face, said mirror support being rotatable between first and second positions, wherein in the first position, the opposing face of the mirror support forms a light-tight seal with the entry face of the support base over the channel, and wherein in the second position, the mirror support is rotated entirely to one side of the beam path of the laser beam allowing the beam to pass around the mirror support and through the channel; and a mirror coupled to the mirror face of the mirror support such that the mirror and mirror support comprise a light-tight beam block not having any apertures for light to escape therethrough, and wherein when the mirror support having the mirror coupled thereto is in the first position, a normal to the mirror forms an acute angle to the beam path, such that the laser beam is reflected away from the beam path when it strikes the mirror.