We report advancements in electrically controlled scanning of the direction of laser radiation preceded in 1-3 with application to the YAG:Nd and Cu vapor lasers its key specifications determined by intracavity PLZT spatio-temporal light modulator (STLM) located within a linear conjugate cavity. In the present work the results of an experimental research into the radiation characteristics of the laser with a polarizing output of radiation from the resonator are given. One of the lenses of the conjugate laser resonator is a cylindrical lens. Due to optical relief of the STLM and use of a cylindrical lens the output energy of a lasing pulse is increased signifciantly. The laser radiation scans along the vertical coordinate and is specified by packets of 10-20 pulses with the 15-50 kHz repetition frequency in a packet, up to 10 mJ energy, and the 150-250 ns pulse duration. The laser is operating in the 5-10Hz pulse repetition regime with 1 millisecond duration pumping pulse. Movement of the article during marking provides the second coordiate. STLM based scanning laser is an effective alternative both to jet markers for articles moving on a conveyor belt and the existing laser markers with optomechanical scanning. Capabilities to enhance overall performance of the scanning laser are discussed and samples of markings obtained on different materials demonstrated.

Date Published: 8 August 2003
PDF: 3 pages
Proc. SPIE 5123, Advanced Optical Devices, Technologies, and Medical Applications, (8 August 2003); doi: 10.1117/12.516998

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5123:
Advanced Optical Devices, Technologies, and Medical Applications
Janis Spigulis; Janis Teteris; Maris Ozolinsh; Andrejs Lusis, Editor(s)