Patent ID: 8693511
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: G02B,H01S

Abstract:
1. A laser beam combining and power scaling method using first, second and third laser heads having first, second and third optical axes, a first highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to said first optical axis in alignment therewith behind said first laser head reflecting radiation when emitted from said first laser head, a first Q-switch in alignment with said first optical axis interposed between said first highly reflective mirror and said first laser head, a second highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to said second optical axis in alignment therewith behind said second laser head reflecting radiation when emitted from said second laser head; a second Q-switch in alignment with said second optical axis interposed between said first highly reflective mirror and said second laser head, a third highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to said third optical axis in alignment therewith behind said third laser head, a third Q-switch in alignment with said third optical axis interposed between said third highly reflective mirror and said third laser head, said first and third optical axes being coincident, said second optical axis perpendicularly intersecting said first and said third optical axes, a beam splitter residing at said intersection of said second optical axis and said first and third optical axes, a laser output, said laser output having a laser output axis, said laser output axis being coincident with said second optical axis, and, a first control device, comprising the steps of: emitting radiation from said first laser head along said first axis into and through said beam splitter; directing, using said beam splitter, a first portion of said radiation emitted from said first laser head into said third laser head along said third optical axis; directing, using said beam splitter, a second portion of said radiation emitted from said first laser head along said laser output axis coincident with said second optical axis; emitting radiation for said third laser head along said third axis into and through said beam splitter; directing, using said beam splitter, a first portion of said radiation emitted from said third laser head into said first laser head along said first optical axis; directing, using said beam splitter, a second portion of said radiation emitted from said third laser head along said second optical axis into said second laser head; emitting radiation from said second laser head along said second axis into and through said beam splitter; directing, using said beam splitter, a first portion of said radiation emitted from said second laser head along said laser output axis; directing, using said beam splitter, a second portion of said radiation emitted from said second laser head along said third optical axis and into said third laser head; controlling, using a first control device, the timing, frequency and duration of the actuation of said first, second and third Q-switches; and, outputting, radiation from said first, second and third laser heads along said laser output axis.