Stephen G Post

US Patent:

56756046, Oct 7, 1997

Filed:

Feb 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/385002

Inventors:

Peter S. Durkin - Albuquerque NM
Stephen G. Post - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air
Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01S 3091
H01S 3094

US Classification:

372 75

Abstract:

The invention provides a portable compact laser system that emits a frequency-doubled green laser beam, which system is thermoelectrically cooled in air and has a power output of up to 1 watt or more. The portable laser system of the invention includes a diode-pumped laser crystal, which emits light into a folded resonator cavity defined by such crystal, a turning mirror and an end mirror, with preferably an SHG crystal between the mirrors, for frequency-doubling IR light to green light and outcoupling the latter through the turning mirror. Such laser system packages into a volume of less than 1 cubic foot, uses solid state cooling technology and requires only single phase, 115 VAC prime power. The portable laser of the invention is small enough and light enough to be hand-carried aboard commercial aircraft by, eg. an eye surgeon and powerful enough to be used in eye surgery.