US3879686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser system for producing variable duration short pulses
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
•
Filing: 1973-09-20
•
Granted: 1975-04-22
•
Expires: 1993-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A laser system for producing intense variable duration short pulses in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 nanoseconds. The laser system utilizes a Michelson interferometer set for maximum reflection at the lasing frequency as one end element. A phase or amplitude switch is placed in the cavity in front of the interferometer in order to change the input to the interferometer resulting in a pulse out of the interferometer whose duration is given by twice the difference in path length of the interferometer arms divided by the speed of light.
Inventors
- 👤 David Milam
- 👤 Howard Schlossberg
- 👤 Abraham Szoke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/11; H01S3/1123; H01S3/115; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/082; H01S3/105; H01S3/10038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A laser system for producing intense variable duration short pulses comprising a lser source, a substantially totally reflective surface located adjacent one end of said laser source and in nominal optical alignment therewith, a Michelson interferometer located adjacent the other end of said laser source and in optical alignment with said mirror and means in nominal optical alignment with an interposed between said laser source and said interferometer for altering the input from said laser source to said interferometer so that the output from said interferometer is in the form of a short laser pulse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A laser system for producing intense variable duration short pulses comprising a lser source, a substantially totally reflective surface located adjacent one end of said laser source and in nominal optical alignment therewith, a Michelson interferometer located adjacent the other end of said laser source and in optical alignment with said mirror and means in nominal optical alignment with an interposed between said laser source and said interferometer for altering the input from said laser source to said interferometer so that the output from said interferometer is in the form of a short laser pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
A laser system for producing intense variable duration short pulses comprising a lser source, a substantially totally reflective surface located adjacent one end of said laser source and in nominal optical alignment therewith, a Michelson interferometer located adjacent the other end of said laser source and in optical alignment with said mirror and means in nominal optical alignment with an interposed between said laser source and said interferometer for altering the input from said laser source to said interferometer so that the output from said interferometer is in the form of a short laser pulse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
A laser system for producing intense variable duration short pulses comprising a lser source, a substantially totally reflective surface located adjacent one end of said laser source and in nominal optical alignment therewith, a Michelson interferometer located adjacent the other end of said laser source and in optical alignment with said mirror and means in nominal optical alignment with an interposed between said laser source and said interferometer for altering the input from said laser source to said interferometer so that the output from said interferometer is in the form of a short laser pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
A laser system for producing intense variable duration short pulses as defined in claim 1 wherein said Michelson interferometer comprises a beam splitter, a first reflective surface located a predetermined distance from said beam splitter and in optical alignment therewith, means connected to said first reflective surface for moving said first reflective surface to said predetermined distance from said beam splitter, a second reflective surface located a predetermined distance from said beam splitter and in optical alignment therewith and means connected to said second reflective surface for moving said second reflective surface to said predetermined distance from said beam splitter whereby said short output pulse is of a duration 2(x-y) where (x-y) is the difference between said predetermined distances and c is the speed of light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laser system for producing intense variable duration short pulses as defined in claim 2 wherein said input altering means is in the form of a phase switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laser system for producing intense variable duration short pulses as defined in claim 2 wherein said input altering means is in the form of an amplitude switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A laser system for producing intense variable duration short pulses as defined in claim 2 further comprising a Q-switch in nominal optical alignment with an interposed between said laser source and said input altering means. pg,11
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3663890A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |