Patent attributes
A method and apparatus for switching an unpolarized pulsed laser is disclosed. An example is a laser system having a source for producing input energy in response to an input drive signal. A laser medium is provided for receiving the input energy and converting the input energy to a circulating beam which is reflected between an output mirror and a reflective mirror disposed on opposing sides of the laser medium. A displacer is disposed between the mirrors and in a path of the circulating beam. The displacer splits the circulating beam into an e-polarized wave and an o-polarized wave. A Pockels cell is disposed between the displacer and the reflective mirror. The Pockels cell is energized to change the phase of the polarized waves and deenergized to allow transmission of the waves without a phase change.
