Inventors:
Jean-Marc Heritier - San Jose CA
Francois Moya - Los Altos CA
Assignee:
Hoya Photonics, Inc. - Santa Clara CA
International Classification:
H01S 300
Abstract:
In a laser system which produces radiation which is highly absorbed by water, the pump voltage supplied to the laser rod is slowly increased between the lasing threshold voltage and the full operational voltage of the pump. As a result, the output energy and circulating energy of the system slowly increase, such that any water on the intracavity coatings is vaporized slowly, rather than explosively. The laser system and method of using same thus reduce or prevent damage to the intracavity coatings used within the laser cavity.