US3636473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite glass laser rod
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1969-03-06
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1989-03-06
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses a composite glass laser rod comprising an inner cylindrical core surrounded by annuli of laser material. The annuli have different levels of doping so that the annuli have different indices of refraction, with the index of refraction of each inner annulus being slightly less than the index of refraction of the adjacent outer annulus.
Inventors
- 👤 C Gilbert Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/0602; H01S3/0612; H01S3/0617; H01S3/08; H01S3/08072
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
14 words
A laser rod as recited in claim 1 wherein said laser material is glass.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A laser rod comprising an annulus of laser material having a radial thickness at least on the order of 1 millimeter, a cylindrical core within said annulus contiguous therewith, the material of said core adjacent to the interface between said core and said annulus being light-transmissive and being of a lower index of refraction than the laser material in said annulus to thereby make said interface reflective to laser light within said annulus whereby a laser light ray traveling generally parallel with the axis of said annulus through said annulus and focused toward said axis by thermal lensing in said annulus experiences total internal reflection at said interface to maintain said laser light ray within said annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
104 words
A laser rod comprising an annulus of laser material, a cylindrical core of laser material within said annulus contiguous therewith, the material of said core adjacent to the interface between said annulus and said core having a lower index of refraction than the laser material in said annulus to thereby make said interface reflective to laser ligHt within said annulus whereby a laser light ray traveling generally parallel with the axis of said annulus through said annulus and focused toward said axis by thermal lensing in said annulus experiences total internal reflection at said interface to maintain said laser light ray within said annulus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
144 words
A laser rod comprising a plurality of contiguous annuli of laser material, a cylindrical core within said annuli and contiguous with the innermost annulus of said annuli, the material of said core adjacent to the interface between said core and said innermost annulus being light-transmissive and being of a lower index of refraction than the laser material in said innermost annulus to thereby make said interface reflective to laser light within said innermost annulus, said annuli having increasing higher indices of refraction progressing outwardly from the axis of the laser rod, whereby a laser light ray traveling generally parallel with the axis of said annuli through one of said annuli and focused toward said axis by thermal lensing in such annulus experiences total internal reflection at the interface at the inner edge of said annulus to maintain said laser light ray within such annulus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser rod as recited in claim 3 wherein said cylindrical core is lossy material inhibiting laser emissions passing therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A laser rod as recited in claim 4 wherein the laser material of said annulus and said core is glass and wherein said annulus and said core have different levels of doping to achieve different indices of refraction in said core and said annulus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A laser rod as recited in claim 5 wherein the laser material of said annuli is glass and wherein said annuli have different levels of doping to achieve said different indices of refraction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laser rod as recited in claim 5 wherein said core is made of laser material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser rod as recited in claim 5 wherein said core is made of lossy material to inhibit laser emissions passing therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A laser system as recited in claim 1 wherein said means to cause laser rays to pass through said annulus comprises means defining a laser cavity passing through said annulus parallel to the axis of said annulus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |