US3919663A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for aligning laser reflective surfaces
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1974-05-23
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-05-23
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus used in the alignment of high power laser systems to obtain optimum performance are disclosed. An external source of visible radiation provides an alignment beam which is reflected along the axis of a resonator. Reflecting surfaces of the resonator are aligned with respect to the axis located by the visible beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Antonio B Caruolo
- 👤 Jack W Davis
- 👤 Allen P Walch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/0818; G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; G02B7/182; G02B7/1822; G02B7/1827
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
Method of aligning with a visible beam the reflective surfaces forming a laser having a resonator region including an optical axis, comprising the steps of: providing a beam of alignment radiation from an external source; directing the beam along the optical axis of the resonator; injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in a first end mirror; aligning a second end mirror such that the center of the alignment beam reflects to the center of the first end mirror; and aligning the first end mirror such that the center of the alignment beam reflects to the center of the second end mirror.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
Method of aligning with a visible beam the reflective surfaces forming a laser having a resonator region including an optical axis, comprising the steps of: providing a beam of alignment radiation from an external source; directing the beam along the optical axis of the resonator; injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in a first end mirror; aligning a second end mirror such that the center of the alignment beam reflects to the center of the first end mirror; and aligning the first end mirror such that the center of the alignment beam reflects to the center of the second end mirror.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein the resonator region includes a plurality of resonator tubes which are circular in cross section and contain a portion of the laser medium including, after the step of injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in a first end mirror, the further step of positioning one or more resonator tubes concentric with the alignment beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein the resonator region includes one or more folding mirrors which are optically disposed between the first and second end mirrors including, after the step of injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in a first end mirror, the further step of ADJUSTING the folding mirrors to centrally position the alignment beam with respect to each folding mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention according to claim 2 having an amplifier region comprising a plurality of amplifier tubes which are circular in cross section and contain a portion of the laser medium further including the step of positioning one or more amplifier tubes concentric with the alignment beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein the resonator includes one or more folding mirrors which are optically disposed between the first and second end mirrors including, after the step of injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in the first end mirror, the further step of adjusting the folding mirrors to centrally position the alignment beam with respect to each folding mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
Method of aligning with a visible beam the reflective surfaces forming a laser having an unstable resonator region including an optical axis, comprising the steps of: providing a beam of alignment radiation from an external source; directing the beam along the optical axis of the resonator; injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in a first end mirror; aligning a second end mirror such that the center of the alignment beam reflects to the center of the first end mirror; and aligning the first end mirror such that the center of the alignment beam reflects to the center of the second end mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
Method of aligning with a visible beam the reflective surfaces forming a laser having an unstable resonator region including an optical axis, comprising the steps of: providing a beam of alignment radiation from an external source; directing the beam along the optical axis of the resonator; injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in a first end mirror; aligning a second end mirror such that the center of the alignment beam reflects to the center of the first end mirror; and aligning the first end mirror such that the center of the alignment beam reflects to the center of the second end mirror.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention according to claim 6 wherein the resonator region includes a plurality of resonator tubes which are circular in cross section and contain a portion of the laser medium including, after the step of injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in a first end mirror, the further step of positioning one or more resonator tubes concentric with the alignment beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention according to claim 7 wherein the resonator region includes one or more folding mirrors which are optically disposed between the first and second end mirrors including, after the step of injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in a first end mirror, the further step of adjusting the folding mirrors to centrally position the alignment beam with respect to each folding mirror.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention according to claim 7 having an amplifier region comprising a plurality of amplifier tubes which are circular in cross section and contain a portion of the laser medium further including the step of positioning one or more amplifier tubes concentric with the alignment beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein the resonator includes one or more folding mirrors which are optically disposed between the first and second end mirrors including, after the step of injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in the first end mirror, the further step of adjusting the folding mirrors to centrally position the alignment beam with respect to each folding mirror.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention according to claim 7 wherein a coupling mirror is located within the resonator region including, after the step of injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in a first end mirror, the further step of adjusting the coupling mirror so that the alignment beam is centrally positioned with respect to the coupling mirror.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention according to claim 11 wherein the resonator region includes one or more folding mirrors which are optically disposed between the first and second end mirrors including, after the step of injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in a first end mirror, the further step of adjusting the folding mirrors to centrally position the alignment beam with respect to each folding mirror.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention according to claim 11 having an amplifier region comprising a plurality of amplifier tubes which are circular in cross section and contain a portion of the laser medium further including the step of positioning one or more amplifier tUbes concentric with the alignment beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention according to claim 13 wherein the resonator includes one or more folding mirrors which are optically disposed between the first and second end mirrors including, after the step of injecting the beam into the resonator through an aperture in the first end mirror, the further step of adjusting the folding mirrors to centrally position the alignment beam with respect to each folding mirror.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
In an unstable laser resonator of the type having a concave end mirror, apparatus for aligning the reflective surfaces of the resonator, wherein the improvement comprises: means for providing a coherent and collimated beam of visible alignment radiation; an alignment mirror which is external to the resonator for directing the beam along the axis of the resonator; and an aperture in the concave end mirror on the axis of the resonator through which the alignment beam enters the resonator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
79 words
In an unstable laser resonator of the type having a concave end mirror, apparatus for aligning the reflective surfaces of the resonator, wherein the improvement comprises: means for providing a coherent and collimated beam of visible alignment radiation; an alignment mirror which is external to the resonator for directing the beam along the axis of the resonator; and an aperture in the concave end mirror on the axis of the resonator through which the alignment beam enters the resonator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention according to claim 15 including a heat sink located behind the apertured end mirror for dissipating laser radiation escaping the resonator through the aperture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention according to claim 15 wherein the alignment mirror is fabricated from a material which reflects the alignment beam but which passes a laser beam generated within the resonator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3579140A
Cited
US3851974A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |