US3704053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatic spatial filter for a high power laser
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1970-12-10
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Granted: 1972-11-28
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Expires: 1990-12-10
Abstract
Abstract An electrostatically cooled spatial filter for high powered pulsed lasers wherein the filter comprises a first lens which focuses a laser beam on a pinhole, and a second lens positioned behind the pinhole to receive the beam. To prevent the laser beam from destroying the pinhole an electric field is applied across the pinhole. This field cools the pinhole and as a result the size of the pinhole is preserved.
Inventors
- 👤 William M Farmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/005; G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/42; G02B27/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
An electrostatically cooled spatial filter for high power pulsed lasers comprising a pulsed high power laser, a thin metal pinhole member having a pinhole therethrough of a predetermined size, a first lens for focusing the pulsed output beam from said high power pulsed laser to said pinhole to provide an expanded laser beam, a second lens to collimate said expanded laser beam to produce an enlarged beam of spatially filtered light, and means to simultaneously generate exclusively high electric fields on either side and across said pinhole to cool said pinhole to preserve and retain said predetermined size of said hole, said means to generate high electric fields consisting of a kilovolt source, a needle probe connected thereto, said needle probe being positioned adjacent to said pinhole member and on one side thereof, a metal plate also positioned adjacent to said pinhole member and on the other side thereof, and means to ground said metal plate with respect to said needle probe, said needle probe and said metal plate being offset from the pinhole axis and aligned with each other through said pinhole.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
An electrostatically cooled spatial filter for high power pulsed lasers comprising a pulsed high power laser, a thin metal pinhole member having a pinhole therethrough of a predetermined size, a first lens for focusing the pulsed output beam from said high power pulsed laser to said pinhole to provide an expanded laser beam, a second lens to collimate said expanded laser beam to produce an enlarged beam of spatially filtered light, and means to simultaneously generate exclusively high electric fields on either side and across said pinhole to cool said pinhole to preserve and retain said predetermined size of said hole, said means to generate high electric fields consisting of a kilovolt source, a needle probe connected thereto, said needle probe being positioned adjacent to said pinhole member and on one side thereof, a metal plate also positioned adjacent to said pinhole member and on the other side thereof, and means to ground said metal plate with respect to said needle probe, said needle probe and said metal plate being offset from the pinhole axis and aligned with each other through said pinhole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrostatically cooled spatial filter as described in claim 1 wherein said pinhole member consists of aluminum foil.
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) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |