Method for first pulse optimisation in Q-switched solid-state lasers and Q-switched solid-state laser

摘要

The method for generating a pulse train (2) comprising individual pulses (3) with a desired pulse characteristic by a Q-switched solid state laser having a modulator (9) for influencing the pulse characteristic of the individual pulses, comprises generating the individual pulses of a pulse train with a pulse characteristic by applying a temporal initial modulation signal to the modulator, detecting the pulse characteristic of the individual pulses of the generated pulse train, and generating a modified modulation signal (16) based on the detected and desired pulse characteristic. The method for generating a pulse train (2) comprising individual pulses (3) with a desired pulse characteristic by a Q-switched solid state laser having a modulator (9) for influencing the pulse characteristic of the individual pulses, comprises generating the individual pulses of a pulse train with a pulse characteristic by applying a temporal initial modulation signal to the modulator, detecting the pulse characteristic of the individual pulses of the generated pulse train, generating a modified modulation signal (16) based on the detected and desired pulse characteristic and generating the pulse train having a modified pulse characteristic by applying the modified modulation signal to the modulator, repeating the last process step until a predetermined break-off criterion, which is fulfilled with regard to an optimal modulation signal, and generating a pulse train with the desired pulse characteristic of the individual pulses by applying the optimal modulation signal to the modulator. The desired pulse characteristic of the individual pulses is its pulse peak power or its pulse energy. The modified modulation signal is generated on the basis of pulse train. The optimal modulation signal is generated and stored before carrying out a laser processing with pulse train for all later operating point occurring in the laser processing. The modified modulation signal is generated fully automatic without the necessity of a manual intervention and is generated by a sequential optimization of the individual pulse and by an evolutionary or genetic algorithms or hill climbing algorithms. The optimal modulation signals are stored together with its appropriate processing point. An independent claim is included for a Q-switched solid state laser for generating a pulse train.