US3783405A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser having means for defogging the optical cavity thereof
Assignee: COHERENT RADIATION
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Filing: 1972-02-04
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-02-04
Abstract
Abstract In a laser, having a lasing medium and having an optical resonator and wherein there is a space or cavity between the lasing medium and the mirrors forming the optical resonator, means is provided for removing contamination particles, such as dust and fog from the cavity region in the path that the reflected coherent light beam passes. This is accomplished by providing a radioactive source for electrostatically charging the contamination particles and then removing the charged particles from the path of the light beam by, for example, an electrical field.
Inventors
- 👤 N Manoukian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/034; H01S3/0346; H01S3/04; H01S3/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
Laser apparatus comprising a. a sealed discharge chamber containing at least one gas; b. means for energizing said at least one gas to at least one excited state, an excited state being characterized by an inverted population; c. broad band optical resonating means comprising a first substantially totally reflecting mirror located axially of one end of said discharge chamber and a second partially reflecting mirror located axially of the other end of said discharge chamber, said partially reflecting mirror thereby providing an optical output resulting from the depopulation of said at least one gas; and d. means for dispersing particles suspended in the cavity region of the laser located generally between each of the mirrors forming the resonating means and the respective ends of the discharge chamber and through which the reflected coherent light passes, said means comprising i. a source of radioactive material providing radioactive emissions within said cavity region to electrically charge said particles, and ii. means for attracting said charged particles away from the cavity region through which the light reflected within said optical resonator passes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
Laser apparatus comprising a. a sealed discharge chamber containing at least one gas; b. means for energizing said at least one gas to at least one excited state, an excited state being characterized by an inverted population; c. broad band optical resonating means comprising a first substantially totally reflecting mirror located axially of one end of said discharge chamber and a second partially reflecting mirror located axially of the other end of said discharge chamber, said partially reflecting mirror thereby providing an optical output resulting from the depopulation of said at least one gas; and d. means for dispersing particles suspended in the cavity region of the laser located generally between each of the mirrors forming the resonating means and the respective ends of the discharge chamber and through which the reflected coherent light passes, said means comprising i. a source of radioactive material providing radioactive emissions within said cavity region to electrically charge said particles, and ii. means for attracting said charged particles away from the cavity region through which the light reflected within said optical resonator passes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said attracting means comprises an electric field extending substantially transversely across the path of the reflected light for at least a portion thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said discharge tube includes a pair of windows at opposite ends thereof wherein light passing within said resonator enters and exits through said windows.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 3 including a shield extending axially from each of said windows to the respective mirrors forming said resonator cavity, said shield being sealed to reduce the free circulation of air therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said radioactive material is secured to said shield.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said attracting means comprises an electric field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said electric field is created by applying a voltage across a pair of electrodes secured to said shield.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said radioactive material comprises radioactive polOnium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said windows are situated at Brewster''s angle relative to the path of the reflected light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a laser having a lasing medium, means for energizing said lasing medium to an excited condition characterized by an inverted population, optical resonating means comprising a pair of axially aligned mirrors, one of which is only partially reflective and wherein an ambient atmosphere filled cavity exists between at least one of said mirrors and said lasing medium, and wherein the improvement comprises: a. means for dispersing contaminating particles suspended in said cavity at least in the region through which coherent light reflected between said mirrors passes, said dispersing means comprising b. a source of radioactive material providing radioactive emissions within said cavity to charge said contaminating particles therein, and c. means for attracting said charged particles away from the cavity region through which said reflected light passes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a laser having a lasing medium, means for energizing said lasing medium to an excited condition characterized by an inverted population, optical resonating means comprising a pair of axially aligned mirrors, one of which is only partially reflective and wherein an ambient atmosphere filled cavity exists between at least one of said mirrors and said lasing medium, and wherein the improvement comprises: a. means for dispersing contaminating particles suspended in said cavity at least in the region through which coherent light reflected between said mirrors passes, said dispersing means comprising b. a source of radioactive material providing radioactive emissions within said cavity to charge said contaminating particles therein, and c. means for attracting said charged particles away from the cavity region through which said reflected light passes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said attracting means comprises an electric field extending substantially transversely across the path of the reflected light for at least a portion thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 10 including a shield enclosing at least a part of said cavity, said shield extending from said mirror of said resonator to said lasing medium, and wherein said shield is sealed to reduce the free circulation of air therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said radioactive material is secured to said shield.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said attracting means comprises an electric field created by applying a voltage across a pair of electrodes secured to said shield.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
Laser apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said radioactive material comprises radioactive polonium.
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) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |