US3919664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical oscillator-amplifier laser configuration
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
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Filing: 1974-06-27
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A laser has incorporated therein an oscillator formed by a pair of mirrors, at least one of the mirrors being positioned outside of the envelope. The mirrors are dimensioned and spaced from each other so that the resonator has a relatively low Fresnel number and is operated unstably. The entire surface of one of these mirrors is convex and diffracts a portion of the energy outside of the oscillator region. Also incorporated into the laser is an amplifier region defined by a separate pair of mirrors which receive the energy diffracted from the oscillator region. The second pair of mirrors form an optical system with a high Fresnel number. A filter, modulator or other control for the laser signal may be placed outside the laser envelope in the optical path of the oscillator.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Lee Mcallister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/23; H01S3/2308; H01S3/2325; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/034; H01S3/038; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/0811; H01S3/0812; H01S3/10; H01S3/106
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
In a laser having an envelope, means for initiating lasing action within said envelope, an optical oscillator for establishing unstable resonant oscillation of the lased energy, said oscillator comprising a first pair of mirrors placed opposite each other, the entire reflective surface of one of said mirrors being convex, a portion of the lased energy being reflected back and forth between said mirrors and a portion of the lased energy being diffracted by said convex mirror outside the reflection area of the other of said mirrors, at least one of said first pair of mirrors being mounted outside the laser envelope, and an amplifier region defined by a second pair of oppositely placed mirrors, one of the mirrors of said second pair having a reflective surface positioned to receive the energy diffracted outside the reflection area of the other of said oscillator mirrors, lased energy being reflected from said one mirror of said second pair to the other mirror of the second pair, back to said one mirror of said second pair and thence coupled outside the optical system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a laser having an envelope, means for initiating lasing action within said envelope, an optical oscillator for establishing unstable resonant oscillation of the lased energy, said oscillator comprising a first pair of mirrors placed opposite each other, the entire reflective surface of one of said mirrors being convex, a portion of the lased energy being reflected back and forth between said mirrors and a portion of the lased energy being diffracted by said convex mirror outside the reflection area of the other of said mirrors, at least one of said first pair of mirrors being mounted outside the laser envelope, and an amplifier region defined by a second pair of oppositely placed mirrors, one of the mirrors of said second pair having a reflective surface positioned to receive the energy diffracted outside the reflection area of the other of said oscillator mirrors, lased energy being reflected from said one mirror of said second pair to the other mirror of the second pair, back to said one mirror of said second pair and thence coupled outside the optical system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the other of the mirrors of said first pair and one of the mirrors of the second pair has a concave spherical reflective surface facing its paired mirror, the other of the mirrors of the second pair having a convex spherical reflective surface facing its paired mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said one mirror of said second pair is mounted opposite one end of said envelope, is located between said oscillator mirrors and has an aperture formed therein, whereby light reflected between said oscillator mirrors passes through said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 3 and further including means for controlling the laser beam interposed between said oscillator mirrors and mounted outside the laser envelope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said controlling means comprises a water cell for fIltering the laser beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein all of said mirrors are mounted outside the laser envelope, and further including transparent windows at opposite ends of said envelope.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3622907A
Cited
US3681709A
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 |