US3724930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of forming and cooling pinhole spatial filter for high power laser
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
•
Filing: 1972-07-21
•
Granted: 1973-04-03
•
Expires: 1992-07-21
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
- 👤 W Farmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/005; G02B5/006; G02B27/00; G02B27/42; G02B27/46; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In the combination of a high power pulsed laser with a pinhole spatial filter, the method of forming through metal a pinhole having an optimum dimension and the preservation of the optimum dimension during operation of the combination comprising passing high powered output pulses from said high power pulsed laser through said pinhole spatial filter only until forming a pinhole in said metal, the formed pinhole then being of optimum dimension for said combination, and immediately thereafter establishing exclusively an electrostatic field across the formed pinhole for cooling thereof to obtain said preservation of said optimum dimension during subsequent operation of said combination, said electrostatic field existing on either side of said pinhole and also therethrough without interfering with the passage of the output pulses from said high power pulsed laser.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In the combination of a high power pulsed laser with a pinhole spatial filter, the method of forming through metal a pinhole having an optimum dimension and the preservation of the optimum dimension during operation of the combination comprising passing high powered output pulses from said high power pulsed laser through said pinhole spatial filter only until forming a pinhole in said metal, the formed pinhole then being of optimum dimension for said combination, and immediately thereafter establishing exclusively an electrostatic field across the formed pinhole for cooling thereof to obtain said preservation of said optimum dimension during subsequent operation of said combination, said electrostatic field existing on either side of said pinhole and also therethrough without interfering with the passage of the output pulses from said high power pulsed laser.
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) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |