US4041415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coaxial electron beam pumped laser
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1976-05-07
•
Granted: 1977-08-09
•
Expires: 1996-05-07
Abstract
Abstract An e-beam pumped laser employs a hollow cylindrical anode and cathode structure, the cathode being externally concentric with the anode. The lasing gas is contained within a chamber formed by the anode, an optical oscillator cavity being formed between mirrors placed at opposite ends of the anode chamber. The laser gas is excited by means of an e-beam directed radially inwardly from the cathode through the walls of the anode, which are formed of a thin foil, into the laser gas cavity.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl R. Ault
- 👤 Philip C. Stevens
- 👤 Robert H. Sipman
- 👤 Robert S. Bradford, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/09707
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A laser comprising: a hollow cylindrical cathode member fabricated of an electrically conductive material, a hollow cylindrical anode member having a smaller diameter than said cathode member and being mounted in internal concentricity therewith, means for feeding a lasing gas to within the chamber formed by said cylindrical anode member, said anode member being sealed at the opposite ends thereof to contain said gas, optical reflector means positioned at the opposite ends of said cylindrical anode member for forming a laser oscillator cavity, one of said optical means being only partially reflective, and high voltage means connected between said anode and cathode members to generate an e-beam which penetrates the wall of said cylindrical anode member and excites the gas contained therein to effect a population inversion in said gas, whereby a laser beam is generated and laser energy emitted through said partially reflective optical means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A laser comprising: a hollow cylindrical cathode member fabricated of an electrically conductive material, a hollow cylindrical anode member having a smaller diameter than said cathode member and being mounted in internal concentricity therewith, means for feeding a lasing gas to within the chamber formed by said cylindrical anode member, said anode member being sealed at the opposite ends thereof to contain said gas, optical reflector means positioned at the opposite ends of said cylindrical anode member for forming a laser oscillator cavity, one of said optical means being only partially reflective, and high voltage means connected between said anode and cathode members to generate an e-beam which penetrates the wall of said cylindrical anode member and excites the gas contained therein to effect a population inversion in said gas, whereby a laser beam is generated and laser energy emitted through said partially reflective optical means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said cathode member includes a plurality of thin longitudinal blades spaced axially around the inner walls of said cathode member and extending radially towards said anode member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said cathode member includes a plurality of thin circular blades which are spaced from each other axially along the inner wall of said cathode member in concentricity with said anode member, said blades extending radially towards said cathode member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said optical means comprises a totally reflective mirror at one end of said cylindrical anode member and a partially reflective mirror positioned on the other end of said cylindrical anode member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said anode member is fabricated from a thin metal foil formed into a leakproof tube for containing the laser gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the lasing gas is a mixture of nitrogen and argon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |