US3886482A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Traveling wave laser system
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1973-09-19
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and means for generating a traveling wave laser pulse of almost unlimited energy content wherein a gain medium is pumped into a traveling wave mode, the traveling wave moving at essentially the velocity of light to generate an amplifying region or zone which moves through the medium at the velocity of light in the presence of directed stimulating radiation, thereby generating a traveling coherent, directed radiation pulse moving with the amplification zone through the gain medium.
Inventors
- 👤 David W Gregg
- 👤 Ray E Kidder
- 👤 Arthur T Biehl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/23; H01S3/2308; H01S3/2316; H01S3/14; H01S3/22; H01S3/223; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/0971; H01S3/0973; H01S3/2383
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of generating a traveling wave laser pulse comprising the steps of: generating a beam of stimulating radiation; containing in a longitudinal vessel a quantity of gain medium composed of a reactant gaseous mixture capable of producing an exothermic chemical lasing reaction; directing the stimulating radiation longitudinally through the thus contained gain medium; pumping the gain medium in a traveling wave mode creating an amplification zone of population inversion in the gain medium, the stimulating radiation moving with the amplification zone at substantially the velocity of light through the gain medium stimulating a traveling coherent, directed radiation pulse moving with the amplification zone through the thus contained gain medium which is amplified by the stimulated radiation transiTions in the amplification zone as it moves through the gain medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of generating a traveling wave laser pulse comprising the steps of: generating a beam of stimulating radiation; containing in a longitudinal vessel a quantity of gain medium composed of a reactant gaseous mixture capable of producing an exothermic chemical lasing reaction; directing the stimulating radiation longitudinally through the thus contained gain medium; pumping the gain medium in a traveling wave mode creating an amplification zone of population inversion in the gain medium, the stimulating radiation moving with the amplification zone at substantially the velocity of light through the gain medium stimulating a traveling coherent, directed radiation pulse moving with the amplification zone through the thus contained gain medium which is amplified by the stimulated radiation transiTions in the amplification zone as it moves through the gain medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the beam of stimulating radiation is selected from the group consisting of pulsed radiation or continuous radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method defined in claim 1, additionally including the step of expanding the cross sectional area of the beam of stimulating radiation to at least the cross sectional area of the thus contained gain medium through which the beam is directed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 1, additionally including the step of combining the beam of stimulating radiation with a visible radiation beam to enable alignment of the stimulating radiation by visual examination.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method defined in claim 1, additionally including the step of directing the generated amplified beam into a focal region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the step of pumping the gain medium is accomplished by triggering an energy discharge into the gain medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the step of pumping the gain medium is accomplished by initiating a sequential uniform electrical discharge through the gain medium from a series of sparking electrode means located along the longitudinal length of the thus contained gain medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the step of pumping the gain medium is accomplished by directing an electron beam through the thus contained gain medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the step of pumping the gain medium is accomplished by sweeping an electron beam across the gain medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method defined in claim 1, additionally including the step of selectively changing the composition of the gain medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
A traveling wave laser system comprising: means for generating at least a pulse of stimulating radiation; a longitudinal containment vessel containing a gain medium composed of a reactant gaseous mixture which combines in an energetic exothermic chemical lasing reaction; means for directing the stimulating radiation from said generating means longitudinally through said gain medium; and means for pumping said gain medium in a traveling wave mode creating in the containment vessel an amplification zone of population inversion in the gain medium moving at substantially the velocity of light through the gain medium, thereby generating at least a pulse of traveling coherent, directed radiation moving with the amplification zone through the gain medium and creating an energy output.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
117 words
A traveling wave laser system comprising: means for generating at least a pulse of stimulating radiation; a longitudinal containment vessel containing a gain medium composed of a reactant gaseous mixture which combines in an energetic exothermic chemical lasing reaction; means for directing the stimulating radiation from said generating means longitudinally through said gain medium; and means for pumping said gain medium in a traveling wave mode creating in the containment vessel an amplification zone of population inversion in the gain medium moving at substantially the velocity of light through the gain medium, thereby generating at least a pulse of traveling coherent, directed radiation moving with the amplification zone through the gain medium and creating an energy output.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system defined in claim 11, additionally including means for expanding the stimulating radiation cross sectional area to at least the longitudinal containment vessel cross sectional area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system defined in claim 11, wherein the stimulating radiation is selected from the group consisting of pulsed radiation or continuous wave radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system defined in claim 11, additionally including means for generating a visible radiation beam, and means for combining the visible radiation beam with the stimulating radiation, thereby enabling alignment of the stimulating radiation by visual examination.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system defined in claim 11, wherein said stimulating radiation generating means comprises an oscillator laser system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system defined in claim 11, additionally including means for directing the generated energy output into a focal region.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system defined in claim 11, wherein said gain medium pumping means comprises means for directing an energy discharge into said medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system defined in claim 11, wherein said gain medium pumping means includes a series of parallel electrode means positioned along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of said containment vessel, means for producing an electrical potential across said electrode means, and means for sequentially actuating said electrode means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system defined in claim 11, wherein said gain medium pumping means includes an electron generating means directing the output thereof Through said gain medium.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system defined in claim 19, wherein said gain medium pumping means additionally includes means for sweeping the output from said electron generating means across at least a portion of the longitudinal length of said containment vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system defined in claim 11, wherein said longitudinal containment vessel is provided with a cone shaped portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system defined in claim 21, additionally including means operatively connected to said vessel for changing the composition of said gaseous mixture.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system defined in claim 22, wherein said gaseous mixture composition changing means includes a plurality of reservoirs, each of said reservoirs being adapted to contain a gaseous medium, and means for selectively directing gaseous medium from said reservoirs into said containment vessel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system defined in claim 23, wherein said gaseous medium in at least one of said reservoirs is selected from the group consisting of F2, N2F4, X2F4, SF6, UF6, NF3, SbF5, N2F2, IF5, IF7, BrF5 and BrF7; and wherein said gaseous medium in at least another one of said reservoirs is selected from the group consisting of H2, D2, T2, CH4, B2H6, and B5H9.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system defined in claim 11, wherein said gain medium includes at least one gaseous compound selected from the group consisting of F2N2F4, X2F4, SF6, UF6, SbF5, N2F2, IF5, IF7, BrF5 and BrF7 mixed with at least one gaseous compound selected from the group consisting of H2, D2, T2, CH4, B2H6, and B5H9.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system defined in claim 25, additionally including means operatively connected with said longitudinal containment vessel for containing at least one compound of each of said groups, and means for selectively directing said contained compounds into said amplifying means for changing the composition of said gain medium therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3513402A
Cited
US3673513A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |