Patent ID: 6606339
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An auto-alignment device for a laser resonator comprising:an auto-alignment apparatus having an auxiliary laser for producing a low power auto-alignment laser beam, a laser resonator having a primary mirror, a scraper mirror, and a feedback mirror, each mirror having an extension portion for use with the low power auto-alignment laser beam, a first quadrant cell in the auto-alignment apparatus for determining the tip and tilt of the primary mirror relative to the feedback mirror, a second quadrant cell in the auto-alignment apparatus for determining the translation of the primary mirror relative to the feedback mirror, a controller for receiving data from the first and second quadrant cells and processing the data to determine the tip, tilt, and translation positions of the primary mirror relative to the feedback mirror, an actuator attached the primary mirror for receiving signals from the controller and moving the primary mirror in tip, tilt and translation relative to the feedback mirror to keep the primary mirror and the feedback mirror aligned, whereby the auto-alignment apparatus on the extension portion of the feedback mirror sends the low power auto-alignment beam from the feedback mirror extension portion through the scraper mirror extension portion to the primary mirror extension portion and back to the auto-alignment apparatus such that the quadrant cell data senses the tip tilt and translation of the primary mirror relative to the feedback mirror, and the controller processes the quadrant cell data to activate the actuator on the primary mirror to keep the primary mirror and the feedback mirror aligned.