HIGH EFFICIENCY INTRACAVITY DOUBLED LASER AND METHOD

摘要

An intracavity doubled single longitudinal mode laser is disclosed which provides stable (i.e., low amplitude variation in its output beam intensity), efficient operation. An associated method is also disclosed. A lasant material (36) is positioned in the cavity for producing light at a desired fundamental wavelength and possibly other, unwanted wavelengths. Polarizing means (38) and a type I doubling material (36) are also positioned in the cavity. During operation of the laser, the polarizing means polarizes the desired fundamental wavelength as well as the unwanted wavelengths of light produced by the lasant material. The type I doubling material then produces output wavelengths at twice the frequency of any wavelengths passing therethrough. The type I doubling material and the polarizing means are arranged such that they cooperate in a way which causes the unwanted wavelengths to be subjected to losses which result in the unwanted wavelengths being extinguished while the desired fundamental wavelength is subjected to a level of loss above a lasing threshold so that the desired fundamental wavelength lases, thereby producing the desired output wavelength. In one aspect of the invention, blue light may be produced as the output wavelength.