US3725735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transverse electrode excitation of a molecular gas laser
Assignee: Department of National Defence
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Filing: 1970-08-20
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1990-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A transverse excitation system for a molecular gas laser is disclosed in which a pair of electrodes supplied with high voltage DC pulses are provided, the electrodes being shaped to cause an electric discharge therebetween which has a predetermined geometric distribution such that the gain characteristic and the refractive index characteristic of the laser is a spatial distribution to preferentially excite a predetermined resonant cavity mode in the laser gas. Two specific examples of such an electrode structure as a helical electrode structure and a planar electrode structure in which a plurality of rows of pin electrodes are provided, the rows being skewed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the laser.
Inventors
- 👤 A Beaulieu
- 👤 A Robinson
- 👤 R Fortin
- 👤 D Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/038; H01S3/0385; H01S3/0387
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
In a molecular gas laser having an optical axis and being energized by a high voltage pulse source, a transverse excitation electrode structure having electrodes on opposing sides of said optical axis and comprising a first series of pin electrodes in said molecular gas and connected to one side of said high voltage pulse source, a second electrode in said molecular gas and positioned transversely in relation to said first series of pin electrodes and the active volume of said laser and connected to the other side of said high voltage pulse source whereby an electrical discharge occurs in said molecular gas between each pin electrode of said first series of pin electrodes and said second electrode, the position of each pin electrode of said first series of pin electrodes being displaced laterally with respect to said optical axis from the position of the immediately adjacent pin electrodes of said first series of pin electrodes, said pin electrodes of said first series of pin electrodes thus forming a row extending at an angle to the optical axis of said laser, to reinforce the generation of laser energy in a predetermined resonant cavity mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a molecular gas laser having an optical axis and being energized by a high voltage pulse source, a transverse excitation electrode structure having electrodes on opposing sides of said optical axis and comprising a first series of pin electrodes in said molecular gas and connected to one side of said high voltage pulse source, a second electrode in said molecular gas and positioned transversely in relation to said first series of pin electrodes and the active volume of said laser and connected to the other side of said high voltage pulse source whereby an electrical discharge occurs in said molecular gas between each pin electrode of said first series of pin electrodes and said second electrode, the position of each pin electrode of said first series of pin electrodes being displaced laterally with respect to said optical axis from the position of the immediately adjacent pin electrodes of said first series of pin electrodes, said pin electrodes of said first series of pin electrodes thus forming a row extending at an angle to the optical axis of said laser, to reinforce the generation of laser energy in a predetermined resonant cavity mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a molecular gas laser as defined in claim 1, said active volume being circular in cross section, each of said pin electrodes of said first series of pin electrodes being positioned in a pattern of a helix of uniform pitch angle about said active volume, and said second electrode comprises a second series of pin electrodes each positioned diametrically opposite a pin electrode of said first series of pin electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
In a molecular gas laser as defined in claim 1, said first series of pin electrodes comprising a plurality of parallel rows of pin electrodes arranged longitudinally of said active volume, and skewed at an angle to the optical axis thereof.
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 |