Patent US3824487A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3824487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unstable ring laser resonators
Assignee: RTX Corp
•
Filing: 1972-05-08
•
Granted: 1974-07-16
•
Expires: 1992-05-08
Abstract
Abstract Unstable resonator designs having totally reflecting optics which allow isolation of the parameters that control transverse mode discrimination from the parameters that control mode volume and output coupling are disclosed. Various asymmetric ring resonator geometries which include a pair of confocal curved reflecting surfaces and suitable techniques for promoting unidirectional oscillation in these geometries are discussed.
Inventors
- 👤 C Buczek
- 👤 P Chenausky
- 👤 R Freiberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:17
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for producing a collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation having an annular distribution in the near field comprising: reflecting means which define an unstable asymmetric, confocal, ring resonator including means for producing electromagnetic radiation which passes through the resonator as a beam along a path defined by the ring, the resonator comprising in a first region means for changing the diameter of the beam and in a second region means for collimating the beam of changed diameter; and means other than the reflection means disposed in the second region of the resonator to diffractively couple a fraction of the beam out of the resonator as a collimated beam having an annular distribution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for producing a collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation having an annular distribution in the near field comprising: reflecting means which define an unstable asymmetric, confocal, ring resonator including means for producing electromagnetic radiation which passes through the resonator as a beam along a path defined by the ring, the resonator comprising in a first region means for changing the diameter of the beam and in a second region means for collimating the beam of changed diameter; and means other than the reflection means disposed in the second region of the resonator to diffractively couple a fraction of the beam out of the resonator as a collimated beam having an annular distribution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for producing a collimated laser beam having an annular distribution in the near field comprising: reflecting means which define an unstable asymmetric ring resonator; means disposed in the resonator to support stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation and to provide an internal beam of coherent energy within the resonator; and means disposed in the resonator to diffractively couple energy contained in the outer edge of the internal beam out of the resonator as a laser beam having an annular cross section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for producing a collimated laser beam having an annular distribution in the near field comprising: reflecting means which define an unstable asymmetric ring resonator; means disposed in the resonator to support stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation and to provide an internal beam of coherent energy within the resonator; and means disposed in the resonator to diffractively couple energy contained in the outer edge of the internal beam out of the resonator as a laser beam having an annular cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention according to claim 2 in which the unstable resonator comprises: a first region through which the internal beam passes as a collimated beam; and a second region through which the internal beam passes as a non-collimated beam and in which the cross sectional area of the internal beam changes while passing therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention according to claim 3 in which the length of the first region is greater than the length of the second region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 3 in which the reflecting optical means includes a pair of confocal curved reflecting surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 5 in which the confocal reflecting surfaces comprise a concave surface and a convex surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 5 in which the confocal reflecting surfaces are concave.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Invention according to claim 1 including further reflecting means disposed external to the resonator and aligned with respect to the diffractive coupling means to reflect back into the resonator along the path of the beam, energy produced in the resonator which strikes the external reflecting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3641458A
Cited
US3622907A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |