HIGH EFFICIENCY INTRACAVITY DOUBLED LASER AND METHOD

摘要

An intracavity doubled single longitudinal mode laser is disclosed whichprovides 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 fundamentalwavelength and possibly other, unwanted wavelengths. Polarizing means (38) anda type I doubling material (36) are also positioned in the cavity. Duringoperation of the laser, the polarizing means polarizes the desired fundamentalwavelength as well as the unwanted wavelengths of light produced by the lasantmaterial. The type I doubling material then produces output wavelengths attwice the frequency of any wavelengths passing therethrough. The type Idoubling material and the polarizing means are arranged such that theycooperate in a way which causes the unwanted wavelengths to be subjected tolosses which result in the unwanted wavelengths being extinguished while thedesired fundamental wavelength is subjected to a level of loss above a lasingthreshold so that the desired fundamental wavelength lases, thereby producingthe desired output wavelength. In one aspect of the invention, blue light maybe produced as the output wavelength.