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Abstract

Intracavity particle detection is disclosed using optically pumped laser media. A laser medium, positioned within a laser cavity, is end-pumped by an optical pump source to excite the laser medium to provide laser light within the laser cavity, and a detecting region, also positioned within the laser cavity and capable of having particles, or particle-containing fluid, therein, is exposed to the laser light whereby light is affected, as by being scattered, by particles in the detecting region with the scattered light being indicative of particles, such as small particles having a size of between 0.05 and 10 microns, causing the light to be scattered so that the scattered light, when collected, can be used to provide an output indicative of particles at the detecting region. A laser cavity, having therein a solid state laser medium end-pumped by a semiconductor laser providing focused light into the laser medium to achieve gain-aperturing, provides high intracavity power, such as about 550 Watts, to enable detection within the laser cavity of small particles, including particles in a fluid, such as air, passing through the detecting region at high flow rates, including flow rates at, or greater than, one cubic foot per minute.

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First Claim