US3697888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Evanescent wave coupling technique for beam shaping
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-01
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1991-06-01
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a coherent optical oscillator in which evanescent wave coupling between two surfaces, at least one of which is curved, provides beam shaping and improved overall conversion efficiency. In general, bicylindrical curvature is provided, for example, by appropriately oriented cylindrical curvatures of the two surfaces. There are specifically disclosed a second-harmonic generator having improved conversion efficiency and a thin-film laser having improved output characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Guenter Danielmeyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29346; G02B6/29349; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/124; G02B6/1245; G02B6/27; G02B6/2706; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/14; H01S3/16; H01S3/168; H01S5/00; H01S5/10; H01S5/1071; H01S3/0602; H01S3/0608; H01S3/08; H01S3/08059; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/108; H01S3/109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An apparatus of the type comprising at least one active medium in which the emission of coherent radiation can be stimulated, means for coupling energy into said medium to enable said stimulated emission, means for stimulating said emission, and means for coupling said radiation from said medium for utilization, said apparatus being characterized in that one of said coupling means comprises at least one body spaced within evanescent wave coupling distance from another component of said apparatus, said one body having a curved surface forming a variable-thickness gap with respect to said other component.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
An apparatus of the type comprising at least one active medium in which the emission of coherent radiation can be stimulated, means for coupling energy into said medium to enable said stimulated emission, means for stimulating said emission, and means for coupling said radiation from said medium for utilization, said apparatus being characterized in that one of said coupling means comprises at least one body spaced within evanescent wave coupling distance from another component of said apparatus, said one body having a curved surface forming a variable-thickness gap with respect to said other component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the body is cylindrically curved in at least one coordinate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the body is cylindrically curved to vary the thickness of the gap bicylindrically and thereby to facilitate the stimulated emission of coherent radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the body is cylindrically curved to vary the thickness of the gap bicylindrically and thereby provide a selected Gaussian shape of the beam transmitted through the coupling means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the active medium is a nonlinear optical medium and the stimulating means comprises means for forming a ring-type optical resonator in cooperation with said means for coupling energy into said medium and said means for coupling radiation from said medium, said one coupling means comprising a four-port coupling arrangement including two members forming a bicylindrically curved gap therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said one coupling means is the means for coupling energy into the medium.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
70 words
An apparatus of the type comprising means for altering input optical radiation, means for coupling said input radiation into said altering means, and means for coupling radiation from said altering means for utilization, said apparatus being characterized in that one of said coupling means comprises means having a curved surface for forming a gap of laterally varying transmission in the path of radiation transmitted therethrough to provide selected beam shaping.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
70 words
An apparatus of the type comprising means for altering input optical radiation, means for coupling said input radiation into said altering means, and means for coupling radiation from said altering means for utilization, said apparatus being characterized in that one of said coupling means comprises means having a curved surface for forming a gap of laterally varying transmission in the path of radiation transmitted therethrough to provide selected beam shaping.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the curved surface provides a selected bicylindrical curvature of the gap to insure a transmitted beam of Gaussian cross section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |