(19)

(11)

EP 1 161 783 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/50 (21) Application number: 00917919.3 (22) Date of filing: 14.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01S 3/098, H01S 3/113, G02F 1/35 (86) International application number: PCT/US0006/618 (87) International publication number: WO 0055/949 (21.09.2000 Gazette 2000/38)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 18.03.1999 US 272723 (71) Applicant: Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. Mountain View,California 94043 (US)	(72) Inventors: KAFKA, James, D. Mountain View, CA 94043 (US) SPENCE, David E. Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (US) (74) Representative: Potter, Julian Mark et al D. Young & Co.,21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)