US3921096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unstable split mode laser resonator
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1974-12-16
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An unstable laser resonator system which provides an output beam with enhanced power, energy distribution and optical characteristics is disclosed. Two separate regions of gain medium each of which has the maximum dimensions permitted by the physical constraints of superfluorescent and excited population decay characteristics resonate in a split mode optical cavity having a common interlocked region of resonance which incorporates the contributions of each gain medium and combines the composite intracavity mode prior to output coupling from the resonator. The resonator system produces a coherent, phaselocked, high power, symmetric output beam. Optical cavities based on both spherical and cylindrical optics are discussed.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter P Chenausky
- 👤 Anthony J Demaria
- 👤 David W Fradin
- 👤 Robert J Freiberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
In an unstable resonator configuration having an axis of optical symmetry which passes through an interlocked resonant mode region and including a plurality of gain regions symmetrically disposed about the axis of symmetry, the combination comprising: an output coupling mirror having a curved reflective surface and positioned symmetrically about the axis of optical symmetry; a first gain medium region having a first longitudinal axis nonparallel to the axis of optical symmetry; a first end mirror including a first reflective surface having a center of curvature along a first axis which intersects, and at the point of intersection is perpendicular to, the first reflective surface, the first end mirror being positioned at one end of the first gain medium and beinG intersected by the first axis; a second gain medium having a second longitudinal axis nonparallel to the axis of optical symmetry; a second end mirror including a second reflective surface having a center of curvature along a second axis which intersects, and at the point of intersection is perpendicular to, the second reflective surface, the second end mirror being positioned at one end of the second gain medium and being intersected by the second axis; and a center mirror having a first and a second flat reflective surface which intersect to form a line of intersection and are symmetrically disposed about the axis of optical symmetry and oriented to allow the first end mirror and the coupling mirror to form a first resonant cavity which includes the first gain region and the second end mirror and the coupling mirror to form a second resonant cavity which include the second gain region wherein the first and second resonant cavities include the interlocked resonant mode region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
284 words
In an unstable resonator configuration having an axis of optical symmetry which passes through an interlocked resonant mode region and including a plurality of gain regions symmetrically disposed about the axis of symmetry, the combination comprising: an output coupling mirror having a curved reflective surface and positioned symmetrically about the axis of optical symmetry; a first gain medium region having a first longitudinal axis nonparallel to the axis of optical symmetry; a first end mirror including a first reflective surface having a center of curvature along a first axis which intersects, and at the point of intersection is perpendicular to, the first reflective surface, the first end mirror being positioned at one end of the first gain medium and beinG intersected by the first axis; a second gain medium having a second longitudinal axis nonparallel to the axis of optical symmetry; a second end mirror including a second reflective surface having a center of curvature along a second axis which intersects, and at the point of intersection is perpendicular to, the second reflective surface, the second end mirror being positioned at one end of the second gain medium and being intersected by the second axis; and a center mirror having a first and a second flat reflective surface which intersect to form a line of intersection and are symmetrically disposed about the axis of optical symmetry and oriented to allow the first end mirror and the coupling mirror to form a first resonant cavity which includes the first gain region and the second end mirror and the coupling mirror to form a second resonant cavity which include the second gain region wherein the first and second resonant cavities include the interlocked resonant mode region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein the end reflective surfaces of the first and second end mirrors are curved concavely with respect to the center mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein the reflective surface of the output coupling mirror is curved convexly with respect to the center mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention according to claim 1 including further means for adjusting the separation distance between the first or the second end mirror and the center mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein the reflective surfaces of the output coupling mirror and the first and second end mirrors are cylindrical in curvature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein the first axis and the second axis intersect at the line of intersection.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |