US3839684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and mechanism for adjusting the optical axis of a laser resonator by translational movement of the resonator reflector
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-12
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1992-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A laser resonator includes at least one reflector having a spherical reflecting surface. The optical axis of the resonator is adjusted by translating the reflector along a plane tangential to its spherical surface.
Inventors
- 👤 I Kobayashi
- 👤 T Matsuoka
- 👤 A Kuroiwa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
In a laser, an optical resonator including a first reflector, a laser active medium and a second reflector that has a fixed position while operational and has a substantially spherical reflecting surface, wherein the improvement comprises means for adjusting the fixed position of the second reflector to align the optical axis of the resonator by translational movement of said second reflector along a plane tangential to its reflecting surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a laser, an optical resonator including a first reflector, a laser active medium and a second reflector that has a fixed position while operational and has a substantially spherical reflecting surface, wherein the improvement comprises means for adjusting the fixed position of the second reflector to align the optical axis of the resonator by translational movement of said second reflector along a plane tangential to its reflecting surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a laser, an optical resonator including a first reflector, a laser active medium and a second reflector that has a fixed position while operational and has a substantially spherical reflecting surface, wherein the improvement comprises means for adjusting the fixed position of the second reflector to align the optical axis of the resonator by translational movement of said second reflector along a plane tangential to its reflecting surface, said adjusting means including a member that defines a planar surface for guiding the second reflector at a predetermined angle to the optical axis of the resonator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a laser, an optical resonator including a first reflector, a laser active medium and a second reflector that has a fixed position while operational and has a substantially spherical reflecting surface, wherein the improvement comprises means for adjusting the fixed position of the second reflector to align the optical axis of the resonator by translational movement of said second reflector along a plane tangential to its reflecting surface, said adjusting means including a member that defines a planar surface for guiding the second reflector at a predetermined angle to the optical axis of the resonator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
A laser including an optical resonator comprising a laser active medium and a first reflector wherein the improvement comprises a second reflector having a substantially spherical reflecting surface that is movable with respect to said first reflector along a predetermined plane tangential to said first reflector to adjust the optical axis of the resonator and adjusting means for holding said reflector in a preselected adjustable position with respect to said plane, said second reflector facing said first reflector with said laser active element interposed between said first and second reflectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
A laser including an optical resonator comprising a laser active medium and a first reflector wherein the improvement comprises a second reflector having a substantially spherical reflecting surface that is movable with respect to said first reflector along a predetermined plane tangential to said first reflector to adjust the optical axis of the resonator and adjusting means for holding said reflector in a preselected adjustable position with respect to said plane, said second reflector facing said first reflector with said laser active element interposed between said first and second reflectors.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of adjusting the optical axis of the resonator of a laser wherein the resonator includes at least one reflector with a substantially spherical reflecting surface that has a normally fixed position while in operation, said method comprising the step of causing translational movement of the reflector along a plane tangential to said reflecting surface of the reflector.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of adjusting the optical axis of the resonator of a laser wherein the resonator includes at least one reflector with a substantially spherical reflecting surface that has a normally fixed position while in operation, said method comprising the step of causing translational movement of the reflector along a plane tangential to said reflecting surface of the reflector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said planar surface is substantially horizontal, upwardly facing, and engaged by said second reflector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatuS of claim 2, wherein said planar surface is parallel to said tangential plane, said member defining the planar surface being engaged by said second reflector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said adjusting means includes at least one screw means for urging the second reflector along the planar surface and spring means for resiliently urging the reflector against the screw means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising additional screw means for urging the second reflector against said planar surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the adjusting means further comprises screw means for urging the second reflector along a plane obliquely intersecting the optical axis of the resonator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the adjusting means further comprises at least one screw means substantially parallel to the optical axis of the resonator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2, the adjusting means further comprises means for magnetically urging the second reflector against the planar surface and substantially in the direction of the optical axis of the resonator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said second reflector includes a member defining a planar surface contiguous to its reflecting surface to facilitate movement of said second reflector by said adjusting means along a plane tangential to its spherical surface.
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) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |