Sparkle Optics Open Architecture Rotary Disk Lasers

Sparkle Optics introduces Open Architecture Rotary Disk Lasers, which are modular, multi-purpose and which fit in anyone's budget. The key component is a Rotary Disk Laser Generator, which is similar to a microprocessor. Just as computers with many different configurations can be made using the same microprocessor, the user can make many lasers using a Sparkle Optics rotary disk laser generator. Ten models are available which operate at 946, 1030, 1064, 1319 and 1550 nm fundamental wavelengths. The user can replace almost any existing solid-state laser with an Open Architecture Rotary Disk Laser with the added cost benefit of being able to generate many types of laser output.

Rotary Disk Laser Generator is supplied with an Open Architecture Laser Motherboard

One rotary disk laser generator can be used to build many Open Architecture Lasers. The rotary disk laser license from Sparkle Optics authorizes the user to build any type of laser using the same rotary disk laser generator. This is especially useful when the user does not have enough budget to buy a dedicated laser of each type. For instance, a single rotary disk laser generator can be multitasked to build a Q-switched laser one day, a mode-locked laser a second day and a UV laser on another day. To sum it all up, an investment in a single rotary disk laser generator gives the user the capability to own many high-power lasers on a time-shared basis. This is a tremendous cost benefit to the user.

The expected laser performance at the most common wavelengths is shown in Table I. However it is to be noted that while the user is able to use as much pump power as is specified, laser power at any other wavelength or in any pulse format is beyond the control of Sparkle Optics and is not guaranteed. Table I is included for guidance only.

Table I. Expected performance of Sparkle Optics Rotary Disk Laser Generator at the most common wavelengths in industry and research

Example:
The most basic solid state laser (oscillator or amplifier) can be made using a

L1. Sparkle Optics rotary disk laser generator

L2. Laser diode from any laser diode manufacturer

L3. A resonator (cavity), customized by the user

L4. Accessories (chiller etc.) for the laser diode and the rotary disk laser generator

A Q-switched or mode-locked laser can be made using L1-L4 and

L5. A Q-switch or a mode-locker from any Q-switch or mode-locker manufacturer

A laser source in the visible, UV or mid infrared can be made using L1-L5 and

L6. nonlinear optical crystals, focusing optics and wavelength separation optics from manufacturers of these crystals and optics.

Technical Background:

• Rotary disk laser generator solves the thermal problem that plagues all other types of bulk solid state lasers.
• Rotary disk laser generator has a mode area that is more than 2,500 times that of a fiber laser. As a result, rotary disk laser generator produces much higher pulse energy and peak power than fiber lasers.
• Rotary disk laser beam can be made to be TEM00 for all laser generators, and unstable resonator single mode for 1030-2200P at > 500 W.
• Rotary disk laser generator typically converts 35 - 50% of the laser diode pump power into 1-micron laser radiation depending on the laser configuration chosen by the user. The conversion efficiency varies with laser medium and laser wavelength. Rotary disk laser generator gives the laser user high gain at the fundamental wavelength without amplified spontaneous emission, and thermal problems such as focusing, stress fracture, depolarization and lower level loss.
• The laser beam passes through the laser generator in a free space configuration. The distance between the entrance and the exit port is typically 25 cm. The gain region diameter is typically 0.75 mm. To build a basic laser in this open architecture system, the laser user builds a resonator around the laser generator.