Patent US3906393A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3906393A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Acoustically controlled distributed feedback laser
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1973-06-28
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A distributed feedback laser that is capable of being continuously tuned and/or scanned is disclosed. The subject laser is further capable of being operated in a continuous wave mode as well as a pulsed mode. A lasing medium and an acoustic transducer are mounted on a substrate to have acoustic waves produce periodic mechanical distortions of the lasing medium to cause corresponding periodic disturbances of the index of refraction of said lasing material. Conventional means of excitation of the lasing medium such as by electron bombardment, laser illumination, of the application of electrical current may be used.
Inventors
- 👤 James C Administrator Fletcher
- 👤 Charles Elachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/06; H01S5/0607; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/33; G02F1/335; H01S5/10; H01S5/12; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/102; H01S3/106; H01S3/1068; H01S5/1234
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A distributed feedback laser including: a substrate having a planar surface; a lasing medium mounted on said planar surface of said substrate; acoustic means positioned on said planar surface of said substrate in proximity to said lasing medium for providing acoustic energy that is propagated between the abutting surfaces of said lasing medium and said substrate to produce mechanical distortion of said lasing medium said acoustic means including a pair of acoustic transducers positioned to have the acoustic waves generated thereby cross-directed to form an interference pattern wherein said interference pattern produces mechanical distortion of said lasing medium; and means for applying excitation energy to said lasing medium to produce lasing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A distributed feedback laser including: a substrate having a planar surface; a lasing medium mounted on said planar surface of said substrate; acoustic means positioned on said planar surface of said substrate in proximity to said lasing medium for providing acoustic energy that is propagated between the abutting surfaces of said lasing medium and said substrate to produce mechanical distortion of said lasing medium said acoustic means including a pair of acoustic transducers positioned to have the acoustic waves generated thereby cross-directed to form an interference pattern wherein said interference pattern produces mechanical distortion of said lasing medium; and means for applying excitation energy to said lasing medium to produce lasing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The distributed feedback laser defined by claim 1 further including means for controlling the frequency of the acoustic waves generated by each of said acoustic transducers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The distributed feedback laser defined by claim 1, wherein said pair of acoustic transducers are positioned on opposite sides of said lasing medium to have a standing wave pattern created between said lasing medium and said substrate, said standing wave pattern producing said mechanical distortions of said lasing medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
A distributed feedback laser having a pulsed mode of operation, said laser comprising: a substrate; a lasing medium mounted on said substrate; acoustic means including a pair of acoustic transducers positioned on opposite sides of said lasing medium for having the acoustic waves generated thereby oppositely directed for periodically creating an acoustic standing wave pattern between said substrate and said lasing medium to cause periodic mechanical distortion of said lasing medium wherein said periodic mechanical distortion periodically produces spatially regular areas of said lasing material having an increased index of refraction; and means for applying excitation energy to said lasing medium to produce lasing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
104 words
A distributed feedback laser having a pulsed mode of operation, said laser comprising: a substrate; a lasing medium mounted on said substrate; acoustic means including a pair of acoustic transducers positioned on opposite sides of said lasing medium for having the acoustic waves generated thereby oppositely directed for periodically creating an acoustic standing wave pattern between said substrate and said lasing medium to cause periodic mechanical distortion of said lasing medium wherein said periodic mechanical distortion periodically produces spatially regular areas of said lasing material having an increased index of refraction; and means for applying excitation energy to said lasing medium to produce lasing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The distributed feedback laser defined by claim 4 further including: means for controlling the frequency of the acoustic waves generated by said acoustic means to vary the frequency of said laser beam and the repetition rate of pulses of laser energy provided by said laser, said repetition rate being increased as the frequency of said acoustic energy is increaSed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The distributed feedback laser defined by claim 5, wherein the acoustic waves generated by said acoustic means have identical frequencies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
A distributed feedback laser comprising: a substrate; a lasing medium mounted on said substrate; acoustic means for providing acoustic energy that is propagated between said substrate and said lasing medium along an abutting surface thereof, said acoustic energy causing distortion of said lasing material to create areas thereof having an increased index of refraction, said acoustic means including a pair of acoustic transducers positioned to have the acoustic waves generated thereby cross-directed to form an interference pattern wherein said interference pattern produces mechanical distortion of said lasing medium; means for controlling the frequency of said acoustic energy provided by said acoustic means; and means for applying excitation energy to said lasing medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
A distributed feedback laser comprising: a substrate; a lasing medium mounted on said substrate; acoustic means for providing acoustic energy that is propagated between said substrate and said lasing medium along an abutting surface thereof, said acoustic energy causing distortion of said lasing material to create areas thereof having an increased index of refraction, said acoustic means including a pair of acoustic transducers positioned to have the acoustic waves generated thereby cross-directed to form an interference pattern wherein said interference pattern produces mechanical distortion of said lasing medium; means for controlling the frequency of said acoustic energy provided by said acoustic means; and means for applying excitation energy to said lasing medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
A distributed feedback laser comprising: a substrate; a lasing medium mounted on said substrate; acoustic means for providing acoustic energy that is propagated between said substrate and said lasing medium along an abutting surface thereof, said acoustic energy causing mechanical distortion of said lasing material to create areas thereof having an increased index of refraction, said acoustic means including a pair of acoustic transducers positioned on opposite sides of said lasing medium to have the acoustic waves generated thereby oppositely directed for periodically producing a standing wave pattern between said lasing medium and said substrate, said standing wave pattern producing said mechanical distortion of said lasing medium; means for controlling the frequency of said acoustic energy provided by said acoustic means; and means for applying excitation energy to said lasing medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
A distributed feedback laser comprising: a substrate; a lasing medium mounted on said substrate; acoustic means for providing acoustic energy that is propagated between said substrate and said lasing medium along an abutting surface thereof, said acoustic energy causing mechanical distortion of said lasing material to create areas thereof having an increased index of refraction, said acoustic means including a pair of acoustic transducers positioned on opposite sides of said lasing medium to have the acoustic waves generated thereby oppositely directed for periodically producing a standing wave pattern between said lasing medium and said substrate, said standing wave pattern producing said mechanical distortion of said lasing medium; means for controlling the frequency of said acoustic energy provided by said acoustic means; and means for applying excitation energy to said lasing medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3655261A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |