Patent ID: 8842703
Filing Date: 2014-09-23
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A device for producing enhanced pulse contrast ratio, the device comprising: a. a first mechanical shutter and a second mechanical shutter, the first and the second mechanical shutters positioned in series in a beam path of a laser pulse; b. a first trigger wherein the first trigger activates a first shutter change between an open and a closed position; c. a second trigger wherein the second trigger activates a second shutter change between an open and a closed position; d. a Pockels cell positioned in the beam path in parallel with the first and the second shutters and wherein the laser pulse passes sequentially through the Pockels cell, the first shutter and the second shutter; and e. a controller that sets a predetermined time delay between the first trigger activating the first shutter and the second trigger activating the second shutter wherein the time delay produces a differential time window between the first shutter change and a second shutter change, wherein the time delay produces a differential time window that prevents transmission of a plurality of ghost pulses.