US3772608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Charged-particle triggered discharge for a laser
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1971-09-27
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1991-09-27
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for triggering a discharge in a laser utilizing charged particles. A source of charged particles injects a beam of charged particles throughout the discharge volume of a laser to create uniform ionization therein and thus trigger the electrical discharge needed to excite the lasing medium. This allows the applied electric field to be optimized for excitation without regard to the field required to initiate the discharge in an un-ionized fluid. The beam of charged particles initiates the discharge by providing an initial ion and electron population within the discharge volume. The charged particle beam may be created by several means including a radioactive source, or artificial sources such as electron guns, particle accelerators, or other devices which produce a directed flow of charged particles with sufficient energy to penetrate the active lasing fluid over the entire discharge volume.
Inventors
- 👤 T Gleason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/09707
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of triggering a pulse discharge in a device for producing stimulated emission of radiation having a discharge region located therein, comprising the steps of: a. providing a laser medium within said discharge region; b. providing electrode means about said discharge region, said electrode means comprising at least one pair of electrodes; c. providing at least one collimated beam of charged particles to said discharge region by providing at least one radioactive pellet and at least one electrode having a hollow Open-ended portion facing the discharge region and the other electrode of said electrode pair, said radioactive pellet being positioned within said hollow portion for emitting said charged particle beam into said discharge region for causing uniform ionization of said laser medium through said discharge region, said hollow portion being deep enough to collimate said charged particle beam for encompassing the other electrode of said pair opposite to it to the exclusion of any additional electrode included in said electrode means; d. applying an electric field to said discharge region via said electrode means for creating a population inversion is said laser medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of triggering a pulse discharge in a device for producing stimulated emission of radiation having a discharge region located therein, comprising the steps of: a. providing a laser medium within said discharge region; b. providing electrode means about said discharge region, said electrode means comprising at least one pair of electrodes; c. providing at least one collimated beam of charged particles to said discharge region by providing at least one radioactive pellet and at least one electrode having a hollow Open-ended portion facing the discharge region and the other electrode of said electrode pair, said radioactive pellet being positioned within said hollow portion for emitting said charged particle beam into said discharge region for causing uniform ionization of said laser medium through said discharge region, said hollow portion being deep enough to collimate said charged particle beam for encompassing the other electrode of said pair opposite to it to the exclusion of any additional electrode included in said electrode means; d. applying an electric field to said discharge region via said electrode means for creating a population inversion is said laser medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for triggering a pulse discharge in a device for producing stimulated emission of radiation having a discharge region located therein, comprising: a. electrode means located about said discharge region, said electrode means comprising at least one pair of electrodes; b. a laser medium located within said discharge region; c. means for providing at least one collimated beam of charged particles to said region comprising at least one radioactive pellet and at least one electrode having a hollow open-ended portion facing the discharge region and the other electrode of said electrode pair, said radioactive pellet being positioned within said hollow portion for emitting said charged particle beam into said discharge region for causing uniform ionization of said laser medium through said discharge region, said hollow portion being deep enough to collimate said charged particle beam for encompassing the other electrode of said pair opposite to it to the exclusion of any additional electrode included in said electrode means; d. means for applying an electric field to said discharge region via said electrode means for creating a population inversion in said laser medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for triggering a pulse discharge in a device for producing stimulated emission of radiation having a discharge region located therein, comprising: a. electrode means located about said discharge region, said electrode means comprising at least one pair of electrodes; b. a laser medium located within said discharge region; c. means for providing at least one collimated beam of charged particles to said region comprising at least one radioactive pellet and at least one electrode having a hollow open-ended portion facing the discharge region and the other electrode of said electrode pair, said radioactive pellet being positioned within said hollow portion for emitting said charged particle beam into said discharge region for causing uniform ionization of said laser medium through said discharge region, said hollow portion being deep enough to collimate said charged particle beam for encompassing the other electrode of said pair opposite to it to the exclusion of any additional electrode included in said electrode means; d. means for applying an electric field to said discharge region via said electrode means for creating a population inversion in said laser medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2747121A
Cited
US3641454A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |