Patent US3935545A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3935545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for reducing diffraction-induced damage in high power laser amplifier systems
Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
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Filing: 1975-01-02
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Granted: 1976-01-27
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Expires: 1995-01-02
Abstract
Abstract Self-focusing damage caused by diffraction in laser amplifier systems may be minimized by appropriately tailoring the input optical beam profile by passing the beam through an aperture having a uniform high optical transmission within a particular radius r o and a transmission which drops gradually to a low value at greater radii. Apertures having the desired transmission characteristics may readily be manufactured by exposing high resolution photographic films and plates to a diffuse, disk-shaped light source and mask arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony J. Campillo
- 👤 Brian E. Newnam
- 👤 Stanley L. Shapiro
- 👤 N. James Terrell, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/005; G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for minimizing damage caused by diffraction-induced self focusing in high-power laser amplifier systems which comprises passing the input optical beam through a soft aperture having an optical transmission T given by T = [1 + e.sup.-.sup.S (e.sup.r.spsp.2/w.spsp.2 - 1)].sup.-.sup.2 where r is the radial distance on the aperture, w is the spot-size radius in the case of Gaussian transmission (S = 0), and S is a shape factor characterizing the aperture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for minimizing damage caused by diffraction-induced self focusing in high-power laser amplifier systems which comprises passing the input optical beam through a soft aperture having an optical transmission T given by T = [1 + e.sup.-.sup.S (e.sup.r.spsp.2/w.spsp.2 - 1)].sup.-.sup.2 where r is the radial distance on the aperture, w is the spot-size radius in the case of Gaussian transmission (S = 0), and S is a shape factor characterizing the aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
An article of manufacture useful as a soft aperture which comprises a developed high resolution photographic film or plate having an optical transmision T given by T = [1 + e.sup.-.sup.S (e.sup.r.spsp.2/w.spsp.2 - 1)].sup.-.sup.2 where r is the radial distance from the center of said film or plate, w is the spot radius in the case of Gaussian transmission (S = 0), and S is a shape factor characterizing the film or plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
An article of manufacture useful as a soft aperture which comprises a developed high resolution photographic film or plate having an optical transmision T given by T = [1 + e.sup.-.sup.S (e.sup.r.spsp.2/w.spsp.2 - 1)].sup.-.sup.2 where r is the radial distance from the center of said film or plate, w is the spot radius in the case of Gaussian transmission (S = 0), and S is a shape factor characterizing the film or plate.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of forming a soft aperture which comprises (a) spacing a solid disk from a high-resolution photographic film or plate and (b) illuminating said disk with a source of diffuse white light having a suitable diameter whereby said disk casts a shadow having an outer penumbra region on said photographic film or plate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of forming a soft aperture which comprises (a) spacing a solid disk from a high-resolution photographic film or plate and (b) illuminating said disk with a source of diffuse white light having a suitable diameter whereby said disk casts a shadow having an outer penumbra region on said photographic film or plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said source of diffuse light is formed by illuminating a glass screen in an enclosure having a circular aperture therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said film or plate is in a liquid having a matching index of refraction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3362285A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-01-26 | 1979-07-28 | 1980-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-26 | 1983-07-28 | 1984-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-26 | 1987-07-28 | 1988-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |