US3678409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deflectable light maser
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
•
Filing: 1965-12-17
•
Granted: 1972-07-18
•
Expires: 1985-12-17
Abstract
Abstract Laser apparatus having a coaxial cathode ray gun having its elements aligned along an axis, the elements including a heater element, a cathode element heated thereby, at least one accelerating electrode element axially removed from the cathode element to propel an electron stream from the cathode, a control grid element interposed between the cathode and the accelerating electrode elements in the electron stream, a focusing electrode element interposed between the control grid element and the accelerating electrode element, all of the elements being substantially symmetrical about the common axis and having apertures formed therein to clear an optical path in the region of said axis, the gun being surrounded and supported by a bulb having optical windows at both ends of the gun along the common axis, the bulb being filled with gas of a type to sustain laser action, and means for raising the energy of the gas in the region of the axis to a lasing threshold.
Inventors
- 👤 Marion S Rose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/09707; H01S3/0955; H01S3/0959; H01S3/10; H01S3/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A deflectable maser comprising: a resonant cavity defining a longitudinal axis of said maser; a gas capable of masing contained within said cavity; means for locally establishing a population inversion capable of establishing maser action within a region of said cavity; electron beam gun means for establishing an electron beam along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said maser through said region for increasing the population inversion to a level above the maser threshold level of said gas along the electron beam path through said region, said electron beam having a relatively narrow radial cross-section with respect to the radial cross-section of said region; focusing means for focusing said electron beam to a focal point on said axis between said beam gun and said region; and deflection means for deflecting said electron beam in a direction at a predetermined angle to said axis, the deflected beam diverging from said axis at said focal point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A deflectable maser comprising: a resonant cavity defining a longitudinal axis of said maser; a gas capable of masing contained within said cavity; means for locally establishing a population inversion capable of establishing maser action within a region of said cavity; electron beam gun means for establishing an electron beam along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said maser through said region for increasing the population inversion to a level above the maser threshold level of said gas along the electron beam path through said region, said electron beam having a relatively narrow radial cross-section with respect to the radial cross-section of said region; focusing means for focusing said electron beam to a focal point on said axis between said beam gun and said region; and deflection means for deflecting said electron beam in a direction at a predetermined angle to said axis, the deflected beam diverging from said axis at said focal point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cavity is defined by a bulb and said gas is contained in said bulb, said bulb having first and second energy transparent windows disposed respectively at each end of said bulb and intersecting said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said windows are disposed at Brewster''s angle to said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said windows are substantially concave in shape and are constructed of anti-Reflective glass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said windows have centers of curvature disposed substantially coincident with said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said maser is a laser and said gas is capable of lasing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said first and second windows are optical windows, energy reflective means having a front metallized light reflective surface intersecting said axis at one end of said bulb, and means for partially reflecting and partially transmitting incident light energy, said last named means including a front-metallized partially light reflective surface intersecting said axis at the end of said bulb opposite said one end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said lasing gas is a mixture of helium and neon, and said apparatus further includes a conductive surface on at least a portion of said bulb radially adjacent said region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further including field generating means substantially surrounding said focal point, and means for selectively energizing said field generating means, whereby said field generating means generates a field substantially normal to said axis to deflect the direction of said electron beam at a predetermined angle at said axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said field generating means comprises an electric coil and said field is a magnetic field.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said field generating means comprises electronic deflection plates and said field is an electrostatic field.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
184 words
A deflectable maser comprising: a resonant cavity defining a longitudinal axis of said maser; a gas capable of masing contained within said cavity; means for locally establishing a population inversion capable of establishing maser action within a region of said cavity; electron beam gun means for establishing an electron beam along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member through said region for increasing the population inversion to a level above the maser threshold level of said gas along the electron beam path through said region, said electron beam having a relatively narrow radial cross-section with respect to the radial cross-section of said region; and deflection means for deflecting said electron beam at a direction at a predetermined angle to said axis, said deflection means comprising field generating means substantially surrounding at least a portion of said region, and means for selectively energizing said field generating means, whereby said field generating means generates a field in said portion of said region and substantially normal to said axis to deflect the direction of said electron beam to a predetermined angle from said axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
184 words
A deflectable maser comprising: a resonant cavity defining a longitudinal axis of said maser; a gas capable of masing contained within said cavity; means for locally establishing a population inversion capable of establishing maser action within a region of said cavity; electron beam gun means for establishing an electron beam along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member through said region for increasing the population inversion to a level above the maser threshold level of said gas along the electron beam path through said region, said electron beam having a relatively narrow radial cross-section with respect to the radial cross-section of said region; and deflection means for deflecting said electron beam at a direction at a predetermined angle to said axis, said deflection means comprising field generating means substantially surrounding at least a portion of said region, and means for selectively energizing said field generating means, whereby said field generating means generates a field in said portion of said region and substantially normal to said axis to deflect the direction of said electron beam to a predetermined angle from said axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said field generating means comprises an electric coil and said field is a magnetic field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said field generating means comprises electronic deflection plates and said field is an electrostatic field.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3406366A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |