(19)

(11)

EP 1 312 140 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 10.05.2002 (43) Date of publication: 21.05.2003 Bulletin 2003/21 (21) Application number: 01962263.8 (22) Date of filing: 20.08.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01S 3/06 (86) International application number: PCT/US0125/960 (87) International publication number: WO 0201/7444 (28.02.2002 Gazette 2002/09)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 18.08.2000 US 226180 P (71) Applicant: CORPORATION FOR LASER OPTICS RESEARCH Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801 (US)	(72) Inventors: KNIGHTS, Mark, Gregory Brookline, NH 03033 (US) RINES, Glen, Allan Hollis, NH 03049 (US) KARAKAWA, Masayuki Marlborough, MA 01752 (US) (74) Representative: Boyce, Conor et al F.R. Kelly & Co,27 Clyde Road Ballsbridge,Dublin 4 Ballsbridge,Dublin 4 (IE)