US3904985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Explosive laser
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
•
Filing: 1974-02-05
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1994-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A laser system wherein reaction products from the detonation of a condensed explosive expand to form a gaseous medium with low translational temperature but high vibration population. Thermal pumping of the upper laser level and de-excitation of the lower laser level occur during the expansion, resulting in a population inversion. The expansion may be free or through a nozzle as in a gas-dynamic configuration. In one preferred embodiment, the explosive is such that its reaction products are CO2 and other species that are beneficial or at least benign to CO2 lasing.
Inventors
- 👤 C Paul Robinson
- 👤 Reed J Jensen
- 👤 William C Davis
- 👤 John A Sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/095; H01S3/0951; H01S3/0953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
30 words
A METHOD OF FORMING A CO2 LASING MEDIUM HAVING A POPULATION INVERSION THEREIN WHICH COMPRISES DETONATING PENTAERYTHRITOL TETRANITRATE AND ALLOWING THE PRODUCTS OF SAID DENTONATION TO EXPAND FREELY INTO VACUUM.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
30 words
A METHOD OF FORMING A CO2 LASING MEDIUM HAVING A POPULATION INVERSION THEREIN WHICH COMPRISES DETONATING PENTAERYTHRITOL TETRANITRATE AND ALLOWING THE PRODUCTS OF SAID DENTONATION TO EXPAND FREELY INTO VACUUM.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of forming a CO2 lasing medium having a population inversion exhibiting high again which comprises detonating a high explosive having essentially carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen as its elemental constituents, said detonation occurring in a stagnation reservoir containing gaseous oxygen at a pressure sufficient to oxidize any free carbon produced by said detonation, and expanding the reaction products through a supersonic nozzle.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of forming a CO2 lasing medium having a population inversion exhibiting high again which comprises detonating a high explosive having essentially carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen as its elemental constituents, said detonation occurring in a stagnation reservoir containing gaseous oxygen at a pressure sufficient to oxidize any free carbon produced by said detonation, and expanding the reaction products through a supersonic nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said stagnation reservoir contains a mixture of oxygen and helium.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of forming a CO2 lasing medium having a population inversion therein which comprises (1) detonating a high explosive which (a) is a solid or a liquid at room temperature, (b) consists essentially of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, and (c) has detonation products that are CO2 and other species that do not prevent CO2 lasing, and (2) allowing the detonation products to expand through a supersonic nozzle into a vacuum.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of forming a CO2 lasing medium having a population inversion therein which comprises (1) detonating a high explosive which (a) is a solid or a liquid at room temperature, (b) consists essentially of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, and (c) has detonation products that are CO2 and other species that do not prevent CO2 lasing, and (2) allowing the detonation products to expand through a supersonic nozzle into a vacuum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said other species are benign to CO2 lasing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said other species are beneficial to CO2 lasing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said supersonic nozzle has an expansion ratio of at least 15.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said high explosive is a Compound or a mixture of compounds consisting essentially of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said high explosive contains an oxidizer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said detonation products interact with a gaseous atmosphere before expanding through said supersonic nozzle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said gaseous atmosphere contains oxygen at a pressure sufficient to oxidize any free carbon produced by said detonation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said gaseous atmosphere is oxygen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said gaseous atmosphere is a mixture of oxygen and helium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said high explosive is hexanitrosobenzene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3623145A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |