Patent ID: 6931035
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: B23K,B33Y,H01S

Abstract:
1. A method of operating an optically pumped laser having a solid state gain medium and a Q-switch located within the resonator thereof, said method for generating output pulses of sufficient energy to treat a work piece comprising the steps of: a) continuously pumping the gain medium at a power sufficient to generate a continuous laser output when the Q-switch is open, said continuous laser output having an energy below that necessary to treat the work piece; b) closing the Q-switch for a first period; c) thereafter opening the Q-switch for a second period longer than said first period, with the time between the start of the first period and the start of the second period defined as an energizing period and being sufficient to produce an output pulse after the beginning of the second period, said output pulse having an energy sufficient to treat the work piece; d) repeating steps (b) and (c) a plurality of times to produce a plurality of output pulses, with the time between the beginning of each second period and the beginning of each subsequent first period being sufficient to produce said continuous laser output during the latter part of the second period and with the time periods begin controlled to minimize changes in thermal lensing in the resonator; and wherein, during step (d) said energizing period is varied in successive repetitions of steps (b) and (c) such that at least two pulses is said plurality thereof have different peak power.