US3725814A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for locking the frequency of a laser to an atomic absorption line
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1971-09-10
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-09-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus made up of a laser and a compound optical resonator which locks the frequency of the laser to the atomic absorption line of a gas having a narrow absorption line and which is placed within the compound resonator. The gas sufficiently destroys the interference effects of the resonator thereby lowering the loss of the resonator to a value for which the laser will oscillate. This oscillation frequency is thus locked to the frequency of the absorption line of the gas.
Inventors
- 👤 H Schlossberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08018; H01S3/08022; H01S3/08031; H01S3/08004; H01S3/08009; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/1061; H01S3/13; H01S3/136; H01S3/137
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for locking the frequency of an oscillator to an atomic absorption line of a gas comprising the combination of an oscillator having a specific gain bandwidth, an input means for activating said oscillator, a compound optical resonator made up of a first reflecting means located adjacent one end of said oscillator and at least two other reflecting means located adjacent the other end of said oscillator, and a gas having an absorption line within the gain bandwidth of said oscillator confined between said two other reflecting means whereby the presence of said gas is sufficient to destroy the interference effects of said resonator allowing said oscillator to oscillate at a frequency which is locked to the frequency of the absorption line of said gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for locking the frequency of an oscillator to an atomic absorption line of a gas comprising the combination of an oscillator having a specific gain bandwidth, an input means for activating said oscillator, a compound optical resonator made up of a first reflecting means located adjacent one end of said oscillator and at least two other reflecting means located adjacent the other end of said oscillator, and a gas having an absorption line within the gain bandwidth of said oscillator confined between said two other reflecting means whereby the presence of said gas is sufficient to destroy the interference effects of said resonator allowing said oscillator to oscillate at a frequency which is locked to the frequency of the absorption line of said gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first reflecting means is a grating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said oscillator is a laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said two other reflecting means are held a predetermined distance apart by an adjustable clamp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein a bellows arrangement is located adjacent said two other reflecting means for confining said gas therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said two other reflecting means are mirrors.
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 |