US3675157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunable laser in a sensitized transparent material including an internal resonator and optical guide
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-27
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1991-04-27
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a compact, narrow-band single frequency laser employing a pair of internal grating reflectors photo-induced in a suitably sensitized transparent material doped with an active medium. Specifically, a laser is obtained in a photosensitized sample of dye-doped poly(methyl methacrylate). It includes an internal resonator formed by a pair of grating reflectors permanently induced in the sample, in which optical guides can also be induced upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The resonated laser frequency is selected from the usual broad dye emission spectrum by choice of the grating spacings. Tunability can be achieved by applying stress to the sample to change the grating spacings and the laser resonator length either simultaneously or independently.
Inventors
- 👤 Ivan Paul Kaminow
- 👤 Heinz Paul Weber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/14; H01S3/16; H01S3/168; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08004; H01S3/08009; H01S3/10; H01S3/102; H01S3/105; H01S3/1055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said sample further includes an increased index optical guide disposed in and along the length of said sample and coupled to said pair of reflectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 2 including means for applying stress to said sample to tune said grating reflectors for the selected wavelength of coherent stimulated radiation.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for producing the stimulated emission of radiation comprising a sample of optically transparent material sensitized for photo-induced molecular structural change tending to increase the index of refraction thereof and doped with an active medium providing gain in a particular wavelength range, said sample including a pair of grating reflectors aligned and separated by a distance L within the sample, said reflectors comprising a series of planes of alternating high and low refractive index with spacing d between equivalent planes suitable for reflecting radiation at a selected wavelength in said wavelength range bidirectionally in the region between said reflectors, and means for launching pumping radiation in said sample to excite said active medium, whereby said reflectors provide feedback for the coherent emission of radiation at said selected wavelength.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 4 in which the grating spacing d is given by d lambda 0/2n where lambda 0 is the selected wavelength of coherent stimulated radiation and n is the bulk index of refraction of said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 4 in which the material of said sample is poly(methyl methacrylate) including peroxides to provide sensitivity to said sample and including an active dye medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device according to claim 4 in which said sample further includes an optical guide suitable for guiding said pumping radiation and said selected wavelength radiation within said sample, said guide comprising an elongated region of increased refractive index disposed along the length of said sample and coupled to said pair of reflectors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 5 including means for applying stress transversely to said sample in the regions of said grating reflectors to change the spacing d between equivalent refractive index planes, whereby the selected wavelength of coherent stimulated radiation lambda 0 is tuned.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 8 in which said stressing means applies transverse stress to said sample in the region between said grating reflectors to change the distance L between said pair of reflectors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 4 in which said pumping means comprises a laser and means for directing said pumping radiation axially in and along the length of said sample.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 4 in which said pumping means is a flash lamp and said pumping radiation is launched transversely to said sample in the region between said pair of reflectors.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
116 words
A device for producing the stimulated emission of radiation comprising a sample of poly(methyl methacrylate) sensitized for molecular structural change tending to increase the index of refraction tHereof upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation and doped with an active dye medium, said sample including a pair of grating reflectors comprising a series of planes of alternating high and low refractive index with spacing d between equivalent planes suitable for reflecting radiation of a selected wavelength bidirectionally therebetween, an optical guide comprising an elongated region of increased refractive index disposed along the length of said sample and coupled to said pair of reflectors, and means for launching pumping radiation in said sample to excite said active dye medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3372972A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |