US3617918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapid frequency scanning of temperature tuned optical parametric oscillators
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1969-09-09
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1989-09-09
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to a means and method of changing the operating frequency of optical parametric amplifiers or oscillators over a wide range of frequencies by establishing a thermal gradient in a nonlinear crystal such as lithium niobate or barium-sodium niobate compositions of matter.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert Rabin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for converting the output frequency of a laser to a tunable range of different frequencies, which comprises: a laser element, a nonlinear crystal, means for producing a thermal gradient across said nonlinear crystal, said nonlinear crystal positioned relative to said laser element to receive the output of said laser at an angle with respect to the thermal gradient, and means for producing relative displacement between said laser and said crystal along a line along the thermal gradient to subject different areas of said crystal having different temperatures to said incident light thereby producing different output frequencies.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for converting the output frequency of a laser to a tunable range of different frequencies, which comprises: a laser element, a nonlinear crystal, means for producing a thermal gradient across said nonlinear crystal, said nonlinear crystal positioned relative to said laser element to receive the output of said laser at an angle with respect to the thermal gradient, and means for producing relative displacement between said laser and said crystal along a line along the thermal gradient to subject different areas of said crystal having different temperatures to said incident light thereby producing different output frequencies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laser system as claimed in claim 1; wherein, said nonlinear crystal include only one crystal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laser system as claimed in claim 1; wherein, said nonlinear crystal includes a plurality of crystals sandwiched between separate thermal gradient producing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
An element for converting the fixed output frequency of a laser to a tunable range of different frequencies, which comprises: a nonlinear crystal, first and second heat transfer means secured to opposite ends of said nonlinear crystal; said first heat transfer means operative to maintain a temperature of T1, said second heat transfer means operative to maintain a temperature of T2, T2 being different from T1, said nonlinear crystal maintained by said first and second heat transfer means in a heat transfer relationship, and means for moving said elemeNt along a line relative to a laser light beam perpendicular thereto, where a temperature gradient between T1 and T2 will be produced uniformly across said crystal with each incremental cross section through said crystal having a different temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
An element for converting the fixed output frequency of a laser to a tunable range of different frequencies, which comprises: a nonlinear crystal, first and second heat transfer means secured to opposite ends of said nonlinear crystal; said first heat transfer means operative to maintain a temperature of T1, said second heat transfer means operative to maintain a temperature of T2, T2 being different from T1, said nonlinear crystal maintained by said first and second heat transfer means in a heat transfer relationship, and means for moving said elemeNt along a line relative to a laser light beam perpendicular thereto, where a temperature gradient between T1 and T2 will be produced uniformly across said crystal with each incremental cross section through said crystal having a different temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
133 words
An element for converting the fixed output frequency of a laser to a tunable range of different frequencies, which comprises: a nonlinear crystal, first and second heat transfer means secured to opposite ends of said nonlinear crystal, said first heat transfer means operative to maintain a temperature of T1, said second heat transfer means operative to maintain a temperature of T2, T2 being different from T1, said nonlinear crystal maintained by said first and second heat transfer means in a heat transfer relationship, and means for moving a laser light beam along a line relative to said element with the light beam perpendicular to said element, whereby a temperature gradient between T1 and T2 will be produced uniformly across said crystal with each incremental cross section through said crystal having a different temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
An element for converting the fixed output frequency of a laser to a tunable range of different frequencies, which comprises: a nonlinear crystal, first and second heat transfer means secured to opposite ends of said nonlinear crystal, said first heat transfer means operative to maintain a temperature of T1, said second heat transfer means operative to maintain a temperature of T2, T2 being different from T1, said nonlinear crystal maintained by said first and second heat transfer means in a heat transfer relationship, and means for moving a laser light beam along a line relative to said element with the light beam perpendicular to said element, whereby a temperature gradient between T1 and T2 will be produced uniformly across said crystal with each incremental cross section through said crystal having a different temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB926796A
Cited
US3315177A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |