Patent ID: 6292498
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
In a DPSS-laser having a gain-medium optically pumped by pump-light from a diode-laser light-source driven by an electrical current supplied thereto, the diode-laser light-source having an emitting-wavelength dependent on the temperature of the diode-laser light-source and the gain-medium having a pump-wavelength at which pump-light is maximally absorbed therein, a method of maintaining the emitting-wavelength of the diode-laser light-source at the pump-wavelength, comprising the steps of:(a) controlling the electrical current supplied to the diode-laser light-source to maintain a constant light-output from the DPSS-laser;(b) periodically varying the temperature of the diode-laser light-source, such that the temperature of the diode-laser light-source is periodically and sequentially higher and lower by equal increments than a nominal temperature;(c) monitoring the electrical current supplied to the diode-laser light-source at said higher and lower temperatures of said diode-laser light-source; and(d) changing said nominal temperature to a value at which electrical currents monitored at said higher and lower temperatures are equal.