Apparatus for changing diffraction gratings
An apparatus usable with a laser resonator has a generally stationary base, a positioning slide carried on the guide and shiftable thereon in an adjustment direction, and two (or more) holders carried on the slide and each having a platform adapted to secure a respective diffraction grating. Each of the platforms can be shifted on the respective holder with at least two degrees of freedom relative to the slide. The positioning slide can also be shifted relative to the base for moving each of the gratings into a working position.
1. An apparatus usable with a laser resonator and at least two diffraction gratings, the apparatus comprising:
a generally stationary base;
a guide on the base defining a vertical straight-line adjustment direction;
a grating-positioning slide carried on the guide and shiftable in the guide in the straight-line adjustment direction;
respective holders carried on the slide one above the other and each having a horizontal platform adapted to secure the respective diffraction grating in a horizontal position;
means for shifting each of the platforms and the respective gratings on the respective holder with at least two degrees of freedom relative to the respective holder; and
means for shifting the positioning slide relative to the base in the straight-line adjustment direction for moving each of the gratings in the direction into a working position.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the means for shifting the positioning slide includes a spindle engaged with the base and with the slide.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein the spindle is threadedly engaged with the slide and axially fixed in the base.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein the means for shifting the positioning slide further includes a motor coupled to the spindle.
5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 , further comprising
limit switches fixed to the base for limiting operation of the motor and displacement in the direction of the slide.
6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 , further comprising a controller connected to the limit switches and to the motor for operating same.
7. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the base has two of the guides that are parallel, spaced apart, and flank the slide.
8. An apparatus usable with a laser resonator and at least two diffraction gratings, the apparatus comprising:
a generally stationary base;
two parallel and horizontally spaced guides on the base defining a vertical straight-line adjustment direction;
a grating-positioning slide carried on and between the guides and shiftable in the guides in the straight-line adjustment direction;
respective holders carried on the slide one above the other and each having a horizontal platform adapted to secure the respective diffraction grating in a horizontal position;
means for shifting the positioning slide relative to the base in the straight-line adjustment direction for moving each of the gratings into a working position; and
respective adjustment elements movable for shifting the platforms on the respective holders with at least two degrees of freedom relative to the respective holders, one of the holders being formed with a throughgoing hole through which a tool can be engaged with the adjustment element of the other holder.