Laser Heads

Each laser head is configured for the optical design of the particular laser system. The drawing above shows a head built with two MPS gain modules, one an oscillator, the other an amplifier, for generation of greater than 40 W of power at 1047 nm. The head also includes an acousto-optic Q-switch for pulsed operation. The protective head cover is not shown. Other components include mirrors, some held in adjustable gimbal mounts and others in fixed mounts, lenses for beam shaping and rotary-solenoid-mounted shutters to provide automatic shutoff of the laser beam. Cover interlocks are included to stop laser action if the cover is removed. Power and control signals are brought into the head through military style connectors, and water cooling enters through quick-disconnect fittings. All heads comply with CDRH standards for safety.

The laser head optical base is made from hard-anodized, tooling-plate aluminum, with anodized aluminum end and side plates bolted on for stiffness. The head cover is fabricated from 6061 aluminum, hard-anodized and then finished with a mini-texture urethane powder paint. The head dimensions are: 24L x 10.1W x 8H inches (61 x 25.7 x 20.3 cm).

Other examples of laser heads we have built include:

A single-module design with second-harmonic stage

A two-module design with second and fourth harmonics, switchable wavelengths