US3928814A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collinear acousto-optical tunable filter and acousto-optically tunable laser
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1974-02-25
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Granted: 1975-12-23
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Expires: 1994-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A collinear, acousto-optical, tunable filter is described. A well-collimated, polarized beam of light enters a crystal of Tl3AsSe3. A sound wave generated in the crystal collinear to the light rotates the plane of polarization of the light. A method of analyzing a light spectrum is also disclosed. An acousto-optically tunable laser employing an acousto-optical filter between the mirrors of a laser is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 John D Feichtner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/1068; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/11; G02F1/116
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An acousto-optically tunable laser comprising: A. a lasing tube having a broad band radiation output lying on the optical path between a totally reflecting mirror and a partially reflecting mirror; B. analyzer means which passes only radiation having a predetermined plane of polarization, said analyzer means lying on the optical path between one of said mirrors and said lasing tube; C. an acousto-optical filter which rotates the plane of polarization of a frequency band of said radiation, said acousto-optical filter lying on the optical path between said analyzer means and said lasing tube; and D. means for polarizing the radiation of said lasing tube, and said means lying on the optical path between said acoustooptical filter and said lasing tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An acousto-optically tunable laser comprising: A. a lasing tube having a broad band radiation output lying on the optical path between a totally reflecting mirror and a partially reflecting mirror; B. analyzer means which passes only radiation having a predetermined plane of polarization, said analyzer means lying on the optical path between one of said mirrors and said lasing tube; C. an acousto-optical filter which rotates the plane of polarization of a frequency band of said radiation, said acousto-optical filter lying on the optical path between said analyzer means and said lasing tube; and D. means for polarizing the radiation of said lasing tube, and said means lying on the optical path between said acoustooptical filter and said lasing tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
An acousto-optically tunable laser according to claim 1 wherein said acousto-optical filter comprises: A. a first crystal section having two optical faces at 90* to each other and a surface at 45* to each optical face; B. a reflecting coating on said surface; C. a second crystal section having a first surface fixed to said reflecting coating and a second surface at 45* to said first surface; and D. A transducer affixed to said second surface for generating an acoustic wave in said crystal sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An acousto-optically tunable, laser according to claim 2 wherein said crystal sections comprise Tl3AsSe3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
An acousto-optically tunable laser comprising: A. a lasing tube having a broad band radiation output lying on the optical path between a totally reflecting mirror and a partially reflecting mirror; B. an acousto-optical filter which rotates the plane of polarization of a frequency band of said radiation, said acousto-optical filter lying on the optical path between one of said mirrors and said lasing tube; C. rotator means for rotating the plane of polarization of said radiation, said rotator means lying on the optical path between said acousto-optical filter and said lasing tube; and D. polarizing means for polarizing the radiation of said lasing tube, said polarizing means lying on the optical path between said rotator means and said lasing tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
An acousto-optically tunable laser comprising: A. a lasing tube having a broad band radiation output lying on the optical path between a totally reflecting mirror and a partially reflecting mirror; B. an acousto-optical filter which rotates the plane of polarization of a frequency band of said radiation, said acousto-optical filter lying on the optical path between one of said mirrors and said lasing tube; C. rotator means for rotating the plane of polarization of said radiation, said rotator means lying on the optical path between said acousto-optical filter and said lasing tube; and D. polarizing means for polarizing the radiation of said lasing tube, said polarizing means lying on the optical path between said rotator means and said lasing tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An acousto-optically tunable laser according to claim 4 wherein said rotator means is a Faraday rotator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
An acousto-optically tunable laser according to claim 4 wherein said acousto-optical filter comprises: A. a crystal of Tl3AsSe3 having two parallel surfaces, said totally reflecting mirror being affixed to one of them; and B. a transducer fixed to said totally reflecting mirror for generating an acoustic wave in said crystal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3828276A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |