US4004249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical waveguide laser pumped by guided electromagnetic wave
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1976-01-22
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Granted: 1977-01-18
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Expires: 1996-01-22
Abstract
Abstract An electromagnetic waveguide having a large cross section portion tapering to a narrow throat is supplied with microwaves in the large portion to produce a high intensity electric field in the throat. An optical waveguide defined by the throat itself or a separate waveguide tube in or adjacent the throat is supplied with a laser medium which is pumped by the high intensity electric field to produce a lasing action. Suitable mirrors aligned with the optical waveguide complete the optical laser cavity. Alternatively several tapered waveguides in series with a common optical waveguide are excited sequentially to progressively pump the laser medium along the optical waveguide tube so that laser emission is effected without mirrors.
Inventors
- 👤 Tom T. Kikuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/0975; H01S3/02; H01S3/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
Means for pumping an optical waveguide laser comprising means for generating high energy density electromagnetic waves including a tapered waveguide having a wide portion gradually diminishing to a narrow throat portion which is elongated along an axis, and a source of electromagnetic waves coupled to the wide portion so that high energy density electromagnetic waves are produced in the region of the throat portion, and an elongated optical waveguide defined in the region of the throat portion and extending parallel to the said axis, the optical waveguide containing laser material whereby the high energy density electromagnetic waves are coupled to the laser material for pumping thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
Means for pumping an optical waveguide laser comprising means for generating high energy density electromagnetic waves including a tapered waveguide having a wide portion gradually diminishing to a narrow throat portion which is elongated along an axis, and a source of electromagnetic waves coupled to the wide portion so that high energy density electromagnetic waves are produced in the region of the throat portion, and an elongated optical waveguide defined in the region of the throat portion and extending parallel to the said axis, the optical waveguide containing laser material whereby the high energy density electromagnetic waves are coupled to the laser material for pumping thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
Means for pumping an optical waveguide laser comprising means for generating high energy density electromagnetic waves including a tapered waveguide having a wide portion gradually diminishing to a narrow throat portion which is elongated along an axis, and a source of electromagnetic waves coupled to the wide portion so that high energy density electromagnetic waves are produced in the throat portion, and an elongated optical waveguide tube located in the throat portion and extending along the said axis, the optical waveguide containing laser material whereby the high energy density electromagnetic waves are coupled to the laser material for pumping thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
Means for pumping an optical waveguide laser comprising means for generating high energy density electromagnetic waves including a tapered waveguide having a wide portion gradually diminishing to a narrow throat portion which is elongated along an axis, and a source of electromagnetic waves coupled to the wide portion so that high energy density electromagnetic waves are produced in the throat portion, and an elongated optical waveguide tube located in the throat portion and extending along the said axis, the optical waveguide containing laser material whereby the high energy density electromagnetic waves are coupled to the laser material for pumping thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
Means for pumping an optical waveguide laser comprising means for generating high energy density electromagnetic waves including a tapered waveguide having a wide portion gradually diminishing to a narrow throat portion which is elongated along an axis, and a source of electromagnetic waves coupled to the wide portion so that high energy density electromagnetic waves are produced in the throat portion, and an elongated open sided optical waveguide in the throat having two opposed sides defined by the walls of the throat portion, and means for passing a fluent laser material into the wide portion of the tapered waveguide and through the narrow throat portion whereby the high energy density electromagnetic waves are coupled to the laser material in the throat portion for pumping thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
Means for pumping an optical waveguide laser comprising means for generating high energy density electromagnetic waves including a tapered waveguide having a wide portion gradually diminishing to a narrow throat portion which is elongated along an axis, and a source of electromagnetic waves coupled to the wide portion so that high energy density electromagnetic waves are produced in the throat portion, and an elongated open sided optical waveguide in the throat having two opposed sides defined by the walls of the throat portion, and means for passing a fluent laser material into the wide portion of the tapered waveguide and through the narrow throat portion whereby the high energy density electromagnetic waves are coupled to the laser material in the throat portion for pumping thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical waveguide laser comprising a series of adjacent tapered microwave waveguides, aligned along an axis, each microwave waveguide having a wide portion gradually diminishing to a narrow throat portion which is elongated about the said axis, an elongated optical waveguide defined in the region of the throat portions and extending parallel to the said axis, the optical waveguide containing laser material, and a source of electromagnetic waves coupled to the wide portions of the waveguides so that high energy density electromagnetic waves are produced at the optical waveguide in a traveling wave mode progressively extending along the optical waveguide whereby the high energy density electromagnetic waves are coupled to the laser material for pumping thereof progressively along the optical waveguide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical waveguide laser comprising a series of adjacent tapered microwave waveguides, aligned along an axis, each microwave waveguide having a wide portion gradually diminishing to a narrow throat portion which is elongated about the said axis, an elongated optical waveguide defined in the region of the throat portions and extending parallel to the said axis, the optical waveguide containing laser material, and a source of electromagnetic waves coupled to the wide portions of the waveguides so that high energy density electromagnetic waves are produced at the optical waveguide in a traveling wave mode progressively extending along the optical waveguide whereby the high energy density electromagnetic waves are coupled to the laser material for pumping thereof progressively along the optical waveguide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
An optical waveguide laser comprising an elongated optical waveguide a plurality of banks of tapered microwave waveguides radially extending to the optical waveguide, each bank of waveguides including a plurality of tapered microwave waveguides aligned along the optical waveguide, each tapered waveguide comprising a wide portion gradually diminishing to a narrow throat portion terminating at the optical waveguide, means for passing laser gases through the tapered waveguides to the optical waveguide, and means for coupling microwave energy from a source to the wide portion of each tapered waveguide so that high energy density microwaves are produced in the narrow throat portion and are injected into the optical waveguide for coupling to the laser gases for pumping thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
An optical waveguide laser comprising an elongated optical waveguide a plurality of banks of tapered microwave waveguides radially extending to the optical waveguide, each bank of waveguides including a plurality of tapered microwave waveguides aligned along the optical waveguide, each tapered waveguide comprising a wide portion gradually diminishing to a narrow throat portion terminating at the optical waveguide, means for passing laser gases through the tapered waveguides to the optical waveguide, and means for coupling microwave energy from a source to the wide portion of each tapered waveguide so that high energy density microwaves are produced in the narrow throat portion and are injected into the optical waveguide for coupling to the laser gases for pumping thereof.
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) | 1980-01-18 | 1980-07-19 | 1981-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-18 | 1984-07-19 | 1985-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-18 | 1988-07-19 | 1989-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |