Continuum Precision II Series - Host Laser Modifications; Piezoelectric Frequency Tuning Element; Quarter-Wave Plates

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1.3 HOST LASER MODIFICATIONS
Figure 1-11 provides an example of the interrelationship of the Series 101 and a Nd:YAG host
laser. A description of the modifications to the host laser follows.
Nd:YAG Rod
Internal
Cooling
Water
Supply
Heat
Exchanger
Output
Coupling
Mirror
External
Water In
Out
Polarizer
Modified Q-switch
Driver
Quarter-wave Plates
for Suppressing
Spatial Hole Burning
Temperature
Sensor
Temperature
Regulation
Valve
Alignment
Mirror
Faraday
Isolator
Piezoelectric
Frequency
Tuning Element
"NPRO" Seed LaserSeries 101
Electronics
High
Reflecting
Mirror
Quarter-
wave Plate
Pockels
Cell
(Q-switch)
Series 101
Host Laser
Host Laser
Components
Host Laser
Modifications
Q-Switch
Trigger
Figure 1-11: System Diagram of the Seeder/Host Laser System
1.3.1 Piezoelectric Frequency Tuning Element
Although the piezo element is included as part of the Series 101, it is actually a modification
component for the host laser. The piezo is the active element which translates the high reflecting
mirror of the Nd:YAG host laser to maintain optimum frequency overlap with the seed laser.
1.3.2 Quarter-wave plates
As described in the theory section, a quarter-wave plate is included on each side of the
Nd:YAG oscillator rod to suppress spatial hole burning.