US3891941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imploding cylinder metal vapor laser
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1974-01-25
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1994-01-25
Abstract
Abstract The imploding cylinder metal vapor laser is a laser that utilizes an electric discharge to create metal vapor at densities which are disposed for both pumping to laser action by the original pulse of electricity or by one or more succeeding electric pulses, and for optical cavity geometry. A glass laser tube has the inner surface thereof coated with a vaporizable metal. A high current pulse is discharged through the inner metal surface, vaporizing the metal throughout the chamber and providing dense vapor for succeeding current pulses to discharge through, providing lasing. The laser may be superradiant under high gain conditions, requiring no optical cavity for operation, or may be operated at lower gains with an optical cavity.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas G Roberts
- 👤 Jr Thomas A Barr
- 👤 Charles M Rust
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 00:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A metal vapor laser comprising: a glass tube, a metal coating around the inner surface of said tube, first And second cylindrical electrodes at respective ends of said tube, said electrodes being disposed coaxial with said tube and in contact with the ends of said metal coating for conducting electrical current through the metal coating therebetween, first and second optical windows covering respective ends of said electrodes, pumping means coupled to said electrodes for coupling electrical energy thereto and through said metal coating for vaporizing said metal, and for producing a population in said vapor, and means for stimulating the emission of a laser beam therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A metal vapor laser comprising: a glass tube, a metal coating around the inner surface of said tube, first And second cylindrical electrodes at respective ends of said tube, said electrodes being disposed coaxial with said tube and in contact with the ends of said metal coating for conducting electrical current through the metal coating therebetween, first and second optical windows covering respective ends of said electrodes, pumping means coupled to said electrodes for coupling electrical energy thereto and through said metal coating for vaporizing said metal, and for producing a population in said vapor, and means for stimulating the emission of a laser beam therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A metal vapor laser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pumping means comprises a triggered spark gap, an inductor and a capacitor connected in series across said electrodes; a power supply connected across said capacitor for providing charging current thereto and a switching circuit coupled to a trigger of said triggered spark gap for activating said spark gap and thereby coupling energy across said metal plating for vaporizing said metal within the tube chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A metal vapor laser as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pumping means further comprises a second spark gap connected in series with a second capacitor across said electrodes for coupling periodic pulses of electrical current to said electrodes and through said metal vapors, a power source connected across said second capacitor for providing charging current thereto, and switching means for activating said power source simultaneously with said spark gap triggering.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A metal vapor laser as set forth in claim 3 wherein said switching circuit for activating said triggered spark gap includes a transformer, a switch, and a battery; the primary of said transformer being connected in series with said switch and said battery, and the secondary of said transformer being connected between a trigger electrode of said spark gap and one side of the gap for initiating breakdown of the gap when the switch is closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A metal vapor laser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stimulating means is a superradiant laser medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A metal vapor laser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stimulating means is an optical resonant cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A metal vapor laser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said metal coating is copper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3619812A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |