US3610932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frequency conversion of noncoherent radiation with a noncoherent pump
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1969-08-27
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1989-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A noncoherent image in the infrared region is noncollinearly upconverted to the visible portion of the spectrum in a nonlinear crystal utilizing a noncoherent radiation pump. The noncoherent radiation from a target image in the infrared range at a frequency f1 is directed onto a nonlinear crystal such as KDP or Proustite. Radiation at a frequency f2 from a crystal. The two sources of radiation are mixed in the crystal to provide, among other frequencies, the sum frequency f1+f2 which lies in the visible portion of the spectrum. The output from the crystal is filtered to yield only the sum frequency. The image at the sum frequency is then fed through an image intensifier, after which it may be sensed in either a videoscope, a camera or by eye.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward P Morse
- 👤 Frederick C Macneil
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/353; G02F1/3534
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for converting radiation from a first frequency to a different frequency, and comprising: a. nonlinear means for mixing two incident frequencies of noncoherent radiation, and for producing resultant radiation having frequencies which are the sum and difference of said two incident frequencies; b. projection means for directing noncoherent radiation having a first frequency onto said nonlinear means; c. pump means for directing noncoherent pump radiation onto said nonlinear means concurrently with the radiation being directed by said projection means, whereby the radiation from said pump means and the radiation from said projection means are mixed in said nonlinear means to form resultant radiation having frequencies which are the sum and difference of the frequencies of the radiation from said projection means and the radiation from said pump means; and d. sensing means for sensing at least one frequency of said resultant radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for converting radiation from a first frequency to a different frequency, and comprising: a. nonlinear means for mixing two incident frequencies of noncoherent radiation, and for producing resultant radiation having frequencies which are the sum and difference of said two incident frequencies; b. projection means for directing noncoherent radiation having a first frequency onto said nonlinear means; c. pump means for directing noncoherent pump radiation onto said nonlinear means concurrently with the radiation being directed by said projection means, whereby the radiation from said pump means and the radiation from said projection means are mixed in said nonlinear means to form resultant radiation having frequencies which are the sum and difference of the frequencies of the radiation from said projection means and the radiation from said pump means; and d. sensing means for sensing at least one frequency of said resultant radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes intensifier means for intensifying the radiation out of said nonlinear means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a filter sweep means is interposed between said pump means and said nonlinear means for sweeping the radiation frequency from said pump which is incident upon said nonlinear means, thereby sweeping said resultant frequencies out of said nonlinear means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said projection means includes means for projecting an image of noncoherent radiation upon said nonlinear means and said sensing means senses at least one of said resultant frequencies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sensing means includes an image intensifier for intensifying the resultant radiation out of said nonlinear means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein a filter-sweeping means is interposed between said pump means and said nonlinear means for sweeping the radiation frequency from said pump which is incident upon said nonlinear means, thereby sweeping the resultant radiation out of said means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said nonlinear means is a crystal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for converting noncoherent radiation from a first frequency to a different frequency comprising the steps of: a. directing noncoherent radiation at a first frequency from a first source onto a nonlinear means; b. concurrently directing noncoherent radiation from a noncoherent pump onto said nonlinear means whereby said nonlinear means mixes said noncoherent radiation from said first source of radiation with said noncoherent radiation from said pump to form resultant radiation having frequencies which are the sum and difference of the frequencies of the radiation from said first source and the radiation from said pump; and c. sensing at least one frequency of said resultant radiation
Claim 10
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for converting noncoherent radiation from a first frequency to a different frequency comprising the steps of: a. directing noncoherent radiation at a first frequency from a first source onto a nonlinear means; b. concurrently directing noncoherent radiation from a noncoherent pump onto said nonlinear means whereby said nonlinear means mixes said noncoherent radiation from said first source of radiation with said noncoherent radiation from said pump to form resultant radiation having frequencies which are the sum and difference of the frequencies of the radiation from said first source and the radiation from said pump; and c. sensing at least one frequency of said resultant radiation
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the step of directing radiation from the noncoherent pump further comprises the step of selectively sweeping the frequency of radiation directed onto said nonlinear means thereby sweeping the resultant radiation frequency outputs from said nonlinear means. 10 A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first source of noncoherent radiation which is directed onto the nonlinear means is an image and said nonlinear means forms resultant sum and difference frequency images, and at least one resultant image out of said nonlinear means is sensed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3297875A
Cited
US3407309A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |