US3663892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal ion laser having an auxiliary gas
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1970-06-15
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-06-15
Abstract
Abstract There are disclosed cadmium ion lasers in which gettering of helium by cadmium deposited on walls near the discharge is counteracted by maintaining the coolest region frequented by cadmium ions above about 100* C, although preferably about 150* C, and away from the discharge. One embodiment employs a tube having an enlarged region or sidearm to remove the coolest region from the discharge. A preferred embodiment disposes the cathode in a housing of larger diameter than the diameter of the tube around the discharge, the cathode being at a position in the housing establishing a variation in wall temperature to compel the spent cadmium to be deposited behind the cathode with respect to the discharge.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin Bertrand Klein
- 👤 Thomas Patrick Sosnowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A laser according to claim 1 in which the means for providing the condensation region of the tube in the aforesaid temperature range comprises means for disposing a portion of the tube walls in the vicinity of the cathode at a greater distance from the axis of the discharge than in a central portion of the tube, and means for thermally insulating said portion in the vicinity of said cathode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser according to claim 1 in which the providing means for maintaining the condensation region at temperatures above about 150* C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
A laser comprising a tube supplied with helium and having a reservoir containing cadmium, a cathode and anode disposed to supply a direct-current discharge through said tube in said helium to drive vapor of said cadmium from said reservoir toward said cathode and to invert the population of a radiative transition in said vapor, means forming a portion of said tube on the opposite side of said cathode with respect to the path of said discharge and substantially removed from the electric field of the discharge for providing a condensation region for the driven cadmium at the lowest temperature in the cathode housing whereby gettering of the helium by condensed cadmium is inhibited, and means aligned with the axis of the tube for stimulating the emission of coherent radiation from said vapor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A laser according to claim 4 in which the tube is shaped to prevent condensation of the cadmium between the reservoir and the condensation region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A laser according to claim 4 in which the means forming a portion of the tube behind the cathode is separated from the cathode by at least about 5 centimeters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
A laser comprising a tube supplied with an auxiliary gas and having a reservoir containing a vaporizable material supplying the active gas, a cathode and anode disposed to supply a direct-current discharge through said tube in said auxiliary gas to drive vapor of said active gas from said reservoir toward said cathode and to invert the population of a radiative transition in said vapor, means forming a portion of said tube on the opposite side of said cathode with respect to the path of said discharge and substantially removed from the electric field of said discharge for providing a condensation region for said vapor at the lowest temperature in the cathode housing whereby gettering of the helium by condensed cadmium is inhibited, and means aligned with the axis of the tube for stimulating the emission of coherent radiation from said vapor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A laser according to claim 7 in which the meaNs forming a portion of the tube behind the cathode is separated from the cathode by at least about 5 centimeters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A laser according to claim 8 in which the vaporizable material is cadmium and the means forming a portion of the tube behind the cathode is separated from the cathode by about 7 centimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laser according to claim 7 in which the tube is symmetrical about the cathode sidearm.
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) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |