Patent ID: 8165838

Claim:
A method implemented using one or more processor-based devices to determine behavior characteristics of one or more modules of a laser system, the method comprising: applying inputs to the one or more modules of the laser system using the one or more processor-based devices; measuring, using the one or more processor based devices, outputs generated by the one or more modules of the laser system resulting from the application of the respective inputs applied to the one or more modules of the laser system; and calibrating the one or more modules of the laser system, including determining, using the one or more processor-based devices, one or more equation-based mathematical relationships describing operational behavior of the one or more modules of the laser system by relating the inputs to the resultant outputs generated by the one or more modules of the laser system; wherein determining the one or more equation-based mathematical relationships describing the operational behavior of the one or modules of the laser system includes determining a first equation-based mathematical relationship that comprises a threshold voltage equation-based mathematical relationship relating threshold voltage levels required to cause a laser device to emit laser pulses and respective firing voltage levels, determining a second equation-based mathematical relationship that comprises a gain step equation-based mathematical relationship relating gain step value applied to a sensor signal generated by a sensor in response to one or more laser shots, the gain step equation-based mathematical relationship relates to a relationship between step-settings of an adjustment control mechanism and a resultant gain realized by a corresponding amplification stage, and determining a third equation-based mathematical relationship that comprises a half-wave plate attenuation equation-based mathematical relationship relating attenuation levels at multiple radial portions of a half-wave plate.