Patent ID: 6351482
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A laser having an output and providing output radiation at the output, said laser comprising:a first mirror; a second mirror including a superconductor, said supercondutor being switchable between a superconducting state and a nonsuperconducting state such that said second mirror exhibits a first value of reflectivity, when the superconductor is in the superconducting state, and a second value of reflectivity, when said superconductor is in the nonsuperconducting state, said second mirror being confirmed to cooperate with said first mirror to define a laser cavity for containing energy; a lasing medium disposed between said first and second mirrors for producing intracavity radiation within said laser cavity such that said energy is contained in said laser cavity in a form of photons; and an arrangement for switching said superconductor between said superconducting state and said nonsuperconducting state such that, when said superconductor is in the superconducting state, said second mirror reflects substantially all of said intracavity radiation incident thereon into said laser cavity, and, when said superconductor is in the nonsuperconducting state, said second mirror directs at least a portion of said intracavity radiation to the output as the output radiation.