US3753148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared tunable laser
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1972-04-06
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1992-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A tunable laser apparatus including a first wavelength selective reflector and a second wavelength selective reflector forming one end of an optical cavity, a third wavelength selective reflector forming the other end of the optical cavity, a first lasable dye solution for developing radiation of a wavelength selected by the first reflector and a second lasable dye solution for developing radiation of a wavelength selected by the second reflector disposed within the optical cavity, and a non-linear mixing crystal disposed within the optical cavity. The selected radiation is passed through the non-linear mixing crystal causing it to develop radiation of a third wavelength which is transmitted out of the optical cavity through the third reflector.
Inventors
- 👤 K Billman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:07
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/108; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/353; G02F1/3534; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/082; H01S3/0823; H01S3/0826; H01S3/08086; H01S3/0809
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
LaseR apparatus comprising: a first laser material capable of lasing in a first radiation band; a second laser material capable of lasing in a second radiation band; means for optically pumping said laser materials; first and second mirrors spaced from opposite end portions of said laser materials, said first mirror being positioned at an angle to the optical axis of said laser and said second mirror being positioned perpendicular to said optical axis; said first mirror having the characteristics of transmitting radiation in said first band and reflecting radiation in said second band; a mixing crystal located between said laser materials and said second mirror; a first means angularly positioned with respect to said first mirror for reflecting radiation at wavelength lambda x onto said first mirror and through said laser materials and said mixing crystal onto said second mirror; a second means angularly positioned with respect to said first mirror for reflecting radiation at wavelength lambda y through said first mirror, said laser materials and said mixing crystal onto said second mirror; said second mirror having the characteristics of reflecting radiation at wavelengths lambda x and lambda y and transmitting radiation at wavelength lambda D which is a function of wavelengths lambda x and lambda y; said first and said second mirrors and said first and said second reflecting means together defining an optically resonant cavity for said laser.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
LaseR apparatus comprising: a first laser material capable of lasing in a first radiation band; a second laser material capable of lasing in a second radiation band; means for optically pumping said laser materials; first and second mirrors spaced from opposite end portions of said laser materials, said first mirror being positioned at an angle to the optical axis of said laser and said second mirror being positioned perpendicular to said optical axis; said first mirror having the characteristics of transmitting radiation in said first band and reflecting radiation in said second band; a mixing crystal located between said laser materials and said second mirror; a first means angularly positioned with respect to said first mirror for reflecting radiation at wavelength lambda x onto said first mirror and through said laser materials and said mixing crystal onto said second mirror; a second means angularly positioned with respect to said first mirror for reflecting radiation at wavelength lambda y through said first mirror, said laser materials and said mixing crystal onto said second mirror; said second mirror having the characteristics of reflecting radiation at wavelengths lambda x and lambda y and transmitting radiation at wavelength lambda D which is a function of wavelengths lambda x and lambda y; said first and said second mirrors and said first and said second reflecting means together defining an optically resonant cavity for said laser.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said laser materials are dye solutions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said dye solutions are intermixed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said dye solutions are contained in adjacent compartments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second reflecting means each comprises a rotatable diffraction grating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein lambda D ( lambda x lambda y)/( lambda y - lambda x).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first reflecting means is tunable permitting the wavelength of lambda x to be varied, and said second reflecting means is tunable permitting the wavelength of lambda y to be varied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
239 words
A tunable laser apparatus comprising: first and second laser materials interposed between first and second mirrors, said first mirror being positioned at an angle to the optical axis of said laser and said second mirror being positioned perpendicular to said optical axis; an excitation source for optically pumping said laser materials; said first and second laser materials being capable of lasing in first and second radiation bands which include wavelengths lambda x and lambda y, respectively; said first mirror being capable of transmitting radiation in said first band and reflecting radiation in said second band; a non-linear mixing crystal located between said laser materials and said second mirror; a first rotatable diffraction grating angularly positioned with respect to said first mirror and adjusted to reflect radiation of wavelength lambda x through said first mirror, said laser materials and said mixing crystal onto said second mirror; a second rotatable diffraction grating angularly positioned with respect to said first mirror and adjusted to reflect radiation of wavelength lambda y onto said first mirror through said laser materials and said mixing crystal onto said second mirror; said second mirror having the characteristics of reflecting radiation at wavelengths lambda x and lambda y and transmitting radiation at wavelength lambda D which is a function of wavelengths lambda x and lambda y; said first and said second mirrors and said first and said second gratings together defining an optically resonant cavity for said laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
239 words
A tunable laser apparatus comprising: first and second laser materials interposed between first and second mirrors, said first mirror being positioned at an angle to the optical axis of said laser and said second mirror being positioned perpendicular to said optical axis; an excitation source for optically pumping said laser materials; said first and second laser materials being capable of lasing in first and second radiation bands which include wavelengths lambda x and lambda y, respectively; said first mirror being capable of transmitting radiation in said first band and reflecting radiation in said second band; a non-linear mixing crystal located between said laser materials and said second mirror; a first rotatable diffraction grating angularly positioned with respect to said first mirror and adjusted to reflect radiation of wavelength lambda x through said first mirror, said laser materials and said mixing crystal onto said second mirror; a second rotatable diffraction grating angularly positioned with respect to said first mirror and adjusted to reflect radiation of wavelength lambda y onto said first mirror through said laser materials and said mixing crystal onto said second mirror; said second mirror having the characteristics of reflecting radiation at wavelengths lambda x and lambda y and transmitting radiation at wavelength lambda D which is a function of wavelengths lambda x and lambda y; said first and said second mirrors and said first and said second gratings together defining an optically resonant cavity for said laser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3628044A
Cited
US3605039A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |