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US3798568A
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Atmospheric pressure induction plasma laser source
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1972-07-31
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An atmospheric pressure induction plasma laser source which enables high power, large diameter laser systems to be operated at atmospheric pressures in materials having high melting points and which can be selectively excited in charge transfer or Penning reactions. The disclosed apparatus provides a nonmolecular laser that is operable at atmospheric pressure in a structure open to the atmospheric or in a circulatory system. It also will enable laser oscillation to be realized in elements and compounds that have heretofore been unable to lase due to their difficulty in vaporizing at reasonable temperatures.
Inventors
- 👤 C Willett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/095; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S65/00; Y10S65/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An atmospheric-pressure induction plasma laser, which comprises: a laser plasma tube defining a resonant cavity for sustaining laser oscillation, said tube having openings therein to communicate said cavity with the surrounding atmospheric pressure; an induction plasma excitation source located at one end of said plasma tube and comprising an arc-forming region into which an arc-forming gas is directed and an induction coil that surrounds said arc-forming region; high frequency electrical energization means for energizing said coil to produce an inductive field in said arc-forming region whereby an induced plasma arc is formed in said arc-forming region; and means for introducing a laser medium into said arc-forming region of said induction plasma source whereby said induction plasma source pumps said laser medium to achieve a high population of excited upper laser level species within said plasma tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An atmospheric-pressure induction plasma laser, which comprises: a laser plasma tube defining a resonant cavity for sustaining laser oscillation, said tube having openings therein to communicate said cavity with the surrounding atmospheric pressure; an induction plasma excitation source located at one end of said plasma tube and comprising an arc-forming region into which an arc-forming gas is directed and an induction coil that surrounds said arc-forming region; high frequency electrical energization means for energizing said coil to produce an inductive field in said arc-forming region whereby an induced plasma arc is formed in said arc-forming region; and means for introducing a laser medium into said arc-forming region of said induction plasma source whereby said induction plasma source pumps said laser medium to achieve a high population of excited upper laser level species within said plasma tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said induction coil is provided with water cooling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The atmospheric-pressure induction plasma laser of claim 1 wherein said induction plasma source pumps said laser medium by means of charge-transfer collisions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The atmospheric-pressure induction plasma laser of claim 1 wherein said induction plasma source pumps said laser medium by means of Penning reactions.
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) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |