Patent ID: 6392791
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An optical amplifier for amplifying an optical beam to a selected power level while minimizing the volume and mass of the optical amplifier comprising:first and second construction surfaces oriented in facing relationship to each other; at least one active reflector located on each of said first and second construction surfaces, wherein each of said active reflectors amplifies an optical beam incident on said active reflectors and reflects the amplified incident beam; and at least one passive reflector located on each of said first and second construction surfaces, wherein each of said passive reflectors directs the incident beam to an active reflector located on the opposed construction surface, such that an incident beam is amplified to a selected power level as the incident beam is repeatedly reflected between said first and second construction surfaces, and wherein said passive reflector minimizes the overall volume and mass of the optical amplifier by dividing the path of the incident beam into several smaller paths.