US4032861A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser device for altering surfaces in accordance with given patterns
Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corp
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Filing: 1975-07-16
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1995-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A high gain optically pumped laser device includes a mask having cut-out portions defining a given pattern disposed in the resonant optical cavity defined between end mirrors at opposite ends of the laser material. Each of the end mirrors is equivalent to an optically flat reflecting surface such that only cross-sectional portions in the laser material similar to the pattern are stimulated to emit output laser radiation. This stimulated emission has a high energy density and may be directly radiated to a target surface to alter the surface in a manner corresponding to the given pattern. The alteration may take the form of actual vaporization, heating, or oxidation of portions of the surface. Thus carefully controlled engraving type processes or other processes involving a physical alteration of a surface such as the drilling of square or unusually shaped holes as determined by the pattern can be carried out.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry R. Rothrock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/064; B23K26/066; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/007; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A laser device for altering the surface of a target material disposed at a fixed position exterior to said laser device to define a given pattern on said surface comprising, in combination: a. a high gain laser material and means for optically pumping said laser material; b. first and second end mirror means defining a resonant optical cavity for laser radiation from said laser material, said first end mirror means being optically flat or the equivalent of optically flat and substantially 100% reflective for laser radiation without changing the cross-sectional area of said radiation at the point it leaves one end of said laser material and returns to said one end, said second end mirror means being optically flat and partially transmissive to couple the laser radiation out of said optical cavity; and c. a mask having cut-out portions defining a given pattern, said mask being positioned in said optical cavity such that only cross-sectional portions in said laser material which are congruent with each other and similar to said given pattern are stimulated to emit output laser radiation, whereby said exterior target surface may be radiated by said output laser radiation to thereby effect physical alteration of said surface similar to said given pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A laser device for altering the surface of a target material disposed at a fixed position exterior to said laser device to define a given pattern on said surface comprising, in combination: a. a high gain laser material and means for optically pumping said laser material; b. first and second end mirror means defining a resonant optical cavity for laser radiation from said laser material, said first end mirror means being optically flat or the equivalent of optically flat and substantially 100% reflective for laser radiation without changing the cross-sectional area of said radiation at the point it leaves one end of said laser material and returns to said one end, said second end mirror means being optically flat and partially transmissive to couple the laser radiation out of said optical cavity; and c. a mask having cut-out portions defining a given pattern, said mask being positioned in said optical cavity such that only cross-sectional portions in said laser material which are congruent with each other and similar to said given pattern are stimulated to emit output laser radiation, whereby said exterior target surface may be radiated by said output laser radiation to thereby effect physical alteration of said surface similar to said given pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device according to claim 1, including an exterior lens system between said second end mirror means and said target surface for changing the size of the cross-section of said output laser radiation defining said given pattern whereby a similar pattern of altered surface portions larger or smaller than the cut-out portions of said mask can be formed on said exterior target surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A device according to claim 1, in which said first end mirror means comprises an optically flat mirror, the overall outer dimensions of the pattern defined by the cut-out portions of said mask being such that said pattern falls within an area no greater than the cross-sectional area of said laser material, the cross-sectional portions in said laser material that are stimulated being congruent with the cut-out portions on said mask defining said pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
A device according to claim 1, in which said first end mirror means includes a diverging lens for expanding said laser radiation after it leaves said one end of said laser material and passes said point; and a concave reflecting mirror spaced from said diverging lens and positioned to intercept and return the laser radiation back through said expanding lens so that when the radiation passes said point to return to said one end, it is of the same cross-sectional area as when it left, said mark being positioned between said diverging lens and said concave mirror, whereby the cut-out portions on said mask defining said pattern may occupy an area substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of said laser material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1, in which said laser material comprises solid state crystal in the shape of a solid cylindrical rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
175 words
A process for altering the surface of a material to define a given pattern comprising: positioning in the resonant optical cavity of a laser containing a high gain laser material and having a substantially 100% reflective and optically flat or the equivalent of optically flat first end mirror means and partially transmissive optically flat second end mirror means, a mask having cut-out portions defining said given pattern; optically pumping said laser material to stimulate emission of laser radiation only in cross-sectional portions in said laser material which are congruent with each other and similar to said given pattern to produce in said optical cavity laser radiation having the same cross-sectional area upon leaving, being reflected by said first end mirror means, and returning to the end of said laser material; coupling said laser radiation out of said cavity through said second end mirror means; and impinging said output laser radiation on the surface of said material to thereby effect physical alteration of said surface to said given pattern without moving said laser or said material
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
175 words
A process for altering the surface of a material to define a given pattern comprising: positioning in the resonant optical cavity of a laser containing a high gain laser material and having a substantially 100% reflective and optically flat or the equivalent of optically flat first end mirror means and partially transmissive optically flat second end mirror means, a mask having cut-out portions defining said given pattern; optically pumping said laser material to stimulate emission of laser radiation only in cross-sectional portions in said laser material which are congruent with each other and similar to said given pattern to produce in said optical cavity laser radiation having the same cross-sectional area upon leaving, being reflected by said first end mirror means, and returning to the end of said laser material; coupling said laser radiation out of said cavity through said second end mirror means; and impinging said output laser radiation on the surface of said material to thereby effect physical alteration of said surface to said given pattern without moving said laser or said material
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
Process in accordance with claim 6 which additionally comprises: positioning a lens system between said laser and said surface for changing the size of the cross-section of said output laser radiation; and passing said output laser radiation through said lens system prior to impingement on said surface to effect a smaller or larger similar pattern of altered surface portions on said surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
201 words
A laser device for altering the surface of a target material disposed exterior to said laser device to define a given pattern on said surface comprising, in combination: a. a high gain laser material and means for optically pumping said laser material; b. first and second end mirror means defining a resonant optical cavity for laser radiation from said laser material, said first end mirror means being optically flat or the equivalent of optically flat and substantially 100 percent reflective for laser radiation without changing the cross-sectional area of said radiation at the point it leaves one end of said laser material and returns to said one end, said second end mirror means being optically flat and partially transmissive to couple the laser radiation out of said optical cavity; and c. a mask having cut-out portions defining a given pattern, said mask positioned in said optical cavity such that only cross-sectional portions in said laser material which are congruent with each other and similar to said given pattern are stimulated to emit output laser radiation, whereby said exterior target surface may be radiated by said output laser radiation to thereby effect physical alteration of said surface similar to said given pattern.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
201 words
A laser device for altering the surface of a target material disposed exterior to said laser device to define a given pattern on said surface comprising, in combination: a. a high gain laser material and means for optically pumping said laser material; b. first and second end mirror means defining a resonant optical cavity for laser radiation from said laser material, said first end mirror means being optically flat or the equivalent of optically flat and substantially 100 percent reflective for laser radiation without changing the cross-sectional area of said radiation at the point it leaves one end of said laser material and returns to said one end, said second end mirror means being optically flat and partially transmissive to couple the laser radiation out of said optical cavity; and c. a mask having cut-out portions defining a given pattern, said mask positioned in said optical cavity such that only cross-sectional portions in said laser material which are congruent with each other and similar to said given pattern are stimulated to emit output laser radiation, whereby said exterior target surface may be radiated by said output laser radiation to thereby effect physical alteration of said surface similar to said given pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
167 words
A process for altering the surface of a material to define a given pattern comprising: positioning, in the resonant optical-cavity of a laser containing a high gain laser material and having a substantially 100% reflective and optically flat or the equivalent of optically flat first end mirror means and partially transmissive optically flat second end mirror means, a mask having cut-out portions defining said given pattern; optically pumping said laser material to stimulate emission of laser radiation only in cross-sectional portions in said laser material which are congruent with each other and similar to said given pattern to produce in said optical cavity laser radiation having the same cross-sectional area upon leaving, being reflected by said first end mirror means, and returning to the end of said laser material; coupling said laser radiation out of said cavity through said second end mirror means; and impinging said output laser radiation on the surface of said material to thereby effect physical alteration of said surface to said given pattern.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
167 words
A process for altering the surface of a material to define a given pattern comprising: positioning, in the resonant optical-cavity of a laser containing a high gain laser material and having a substantially 100% reflective and optically flat or the equivalent of optically flat first end mirror means and partially transmissive optically flat second end mirror means, a mask having cut-out portions defining said given pattern; optically pumping said laser material to stimulate emission of laser radiation only in cross-sectional portions in said laser material which are congruent with each other and similar to said given pattern to produce in said optical cavity laser radiation having the same cross-sectional area upon leaving, being reflected by said first end mirror means, and returning to the end of said laser material; coupling said laser radiation out of said cavity through said second end mirror means; and impinging said output laser radiation on the surface of said material to thereby effect physical alteration of said surface to said given pattern.
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) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |