Patent ID: 6580732
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A laser having multiple modes of operation produced from a single laser resonator comprising:a laser resonator having a solid state gain medium located between a pair of end reflectors; a laser pump positioned to pump said laser resonator solid state gain materials and having controllable pulse durations; Q-switching means located in said laser resonator for outcoupling said laser energy from said laser resonator in first mode of operation when said laser pump is operated to produce one range of predetermined pulse repetition rates and durations; and cavity dumping means located in said laser resonator for dumping laser energy from said laser resonator in a second mode of operation when said laser pump is operated to produce a second range of higher predetermined pulse repetition rates and shorter pulse durations; whereby pulse energy, pulse rate, and pulse duration are selected by controlling said laser pump pulse repetition rate and the cavity dumping and Q-switching within said laser resonator, and whereby the Q-switched pulse is allowed to build up without significant outcoupling prior to being cavity-dumped.