US3694768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser having means for enhancing the tem{11 {11 mode output thereof
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-12
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1990-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A transverse acoustic wave is applied to a fused silica cell disposed within a laser cavity to thereby change the optical path length of the laser cavity. TEMoo mode efficiency is improved by increasing the number of atoms in the active laser medium which contribute to the axial mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald S Young
- 👤 William C Fricke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/1068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said acousto-optic cell is formed of fused silica.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said acousto-optic cell is formed of fused silica.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the transverse dimension of said acousto-optic cell is substantially equal to a half-wavelength of said acoustic wave.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the frequency of said acoustic wave is sufficiently low that the index of refraction is substantially constant across the diameter of said beam of radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the rate of change of said effective length of said resonant cavity is at least 1 centimeter per second.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said active laser medium is a neodymium doped yttrium-aluminum garnet rod, said acousto-optic cell is a crystalline quartz block having a transverse dimension of 5 centimeters, and said acoustic wave producing means includes an oscillator coupled to said acousto-optic cell and having an output frequency of substantially 57 kilohertz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said acoustic wave is in the transverse mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the diameter of said beam of radiation from said rod is substantially 0.4 centimeter, said rate of change of said effective length of said resonant cavity is substantially 1 centimeter per second, and the index of refraction of said crystalline quartz block is substantially constant over at least 0.38 centimeter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3297876A
Cited
US3412251A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |