| abstract |
A reflectance-outcoupled laser resonator 10 with an improved electro-optical Q-switch 13, 18,19, 21 is disclosed which is alignment stable. The laser performance is insensitive to angular movements of the resonator elements. This resonator requires fewer optical components and lower total cost than other resonators which are designed to perform similar functions. The invention includes a laser medium 12, two prisms 13, 21, a polarizer 18, an electro-optic crystal 19, and an alignment wedge 20. A polarization preserving folding prism 13 allows great flexibility in resonator design by passing any arbitrary polarization state without change. A double end-reflector prism 21 serves as both cavity end reflectors of the resonator and also serves as a component of the Q-switch 13, 18, 19, 21. |