Patent ID: 6356575
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A dual cavity multifunction laser having first and second cavities, comprising:a common rear reflector disposed at a rear end of the first and second cavities; an electro-optical Q-switch disposed along a common optical path of the first and second cavities that includes the common rear reflector; a hold-off polarizer disposed along the common optical path; a first gain medium disposed along the common optical path; a laser pumping device to pump the first gain medium; a cavity switching polarizer disposed along the common optical path; a first cavity super Gaussian output coupler disposed at an output end of the first cavity that outputs a high repetition rate, low pulse energy output beam; a second cavity super Gaussian output coupler disposed at an output end of the second cavity that outputs a low repetition rate, high pulse energy output beam; and a halfwave plate selectively disposed between the first and second cavities when second cavity output is desired.