Patent ID: 6384368
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: C21D,H01S

Abstract:
A laser shock processing apparatus for improving properties of a workpiece by providing shock waves therein, comprising:an energy absorbing overlay, said overlay applied to the workpiece; a laser beam having a spatial energy profile, said beam applied to said overlay; an amplifier having a gain medium, said gain medium composed of atoms having a ground energy state, an upper laser state, and higher energy states, said gain medium having a transition state energy difference being the difference in energy between said upper laser state and said ground state, said transition state energy difference corresponding to a transition wavelength, said gain medium having an axis along which said laser beam proceeds; and pumping means operatively coupled to said gain medium for supplying photons at a predetermined pump wavelength, said pumping means comprising a diode laser pump, said pumping means forming said laser beam to have a substantial uniform spatial energy profile.