US3755756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gaseous laser employing a segmented discharge tube
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-30
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1991-09-30
Abstract
Abstract There are disclosed gaseous or vapor lasers, typically ion lasers, which employ annular elements composed of, or containing in hollow portions thereof, a vaporizable active material to form segments of the bore of the discharge tube. These elements are sandwiched between glass spacers to define the active gain region of the lasers. In operation, discharge heating vaporizes portions of the material from the elements to provide a uniform distribution and stable control of active vapor in the tube. The lasers eliminate the need for external heating of the active material and for appendages to the tube forming reservoirs for the material. Other desirable features include a short warm-up time, a long tube life, and a simplified and inexpensive construction.
Inventors
- 👤 W Silfvast
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
19 words
A laser according to claim 1 in which said element consists of said vaporization medium in rigid solid form.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
A laser according to claim 1 in which said element comprises a hollow casing containing said vaporizable medium, said casing having a perforation communicating with said interaction region for passing said medium when vaporized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A laser according to claim 1 in which said acting means comprises a cathode and an anode disposed to supply an electrical discharge through said interaction region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
A laser comprising an outer tube supplied with an auxiliary gas, a plurality of tubular spacers having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said outer tube, and, as a source of an active medium, a plurality of annular elements of a vaporizable ionizable solid having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said outer tube, said spacers and said elements alternately inserted in said outer Tube to form an interaction region in which the stimulated emission of radiation can occur, and a cathode and an anode disposed to supply a direct-current electrical discharge through said interaction region to vaporize a portion of said solid from said elements and to excite said laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A laser according to claim 5 in which the supplied discharge current is greater than a threshold level to provide a concentration of said vapor vaporized from said elements sufficient for producing gain substantially uniformly throughout a major portion of said interaction region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laser according to claim 5 in which said annular elements have an inside diameter greater than the inside diameter of said tubular spacers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
A laser comprising an outer tube supplied with helium as an auxiliary gas, a plurality of tubular spacers having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said outer tube, and, as a source of an active medium, a plurality of annular elements of cadmium in a vaporizable solid form having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said outer tube, said spacers and said elements alternately inserted in said outer tube to form an interaction region in which the stimulated emission of radiation can occur, and a cathode and an anode disposed to supply a direct-current electrical discharge through said interaction region to vaporize a portion of said cadmium from said elements and to excite said laser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
A laser comprising an outer tube supplied with an auxiliary gas, a plurality of tubular spacers having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said outer tube and, as a source of an active medium, a plurality of annular elements having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said outer tube, said annular elements comprising a hollow annular casing containing a vaporizable active medium, said casing including a perforation for passing said medium when vaporized, said spacers and said annular elements alternately inserted in said outer tube to form an interaction region in which the stimulated emission of radiation can occur, and a cathode and an anode disposed to supply a direct-current electrical discharge through said interaction region to vaporize a portion of said medium from said elements and to excite said laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A laser comprising a tube supplied with an auxiliary gas, at least one element including a vaporizable active medium, and having an aperture passing through said element, said element being inserted in said tube and with said tube forming an interaction region extending through the aperture in which the stimulated emission of radiation can occur, and a cathode and an anode disposed to supply an electrical discharge through said interaction region to vaporize a portion of said medium from said element and to excite said laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser according to claim 10 in which said element consists of said vaporizable active medium in rigid solid form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A laser according to claim 10 in which said element comprises a hollow casing containing said vaporizable active medium, said casing having a perforation communicating with said interaction region for passing said active medium when vaporized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3621460A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |