US4068194A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Laser system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1976-04-26
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Granted: 1978-01-10
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Expires: 1996-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A gas laser system utilizing a mixture of water vapor, hydrogen or hydrogen deuteride and nitrogen wherein molecular vibrations are excited in the hydrogen or hydrogen deuteride in an electric discharge and the vibrational energy is stored until, by means of near-resonant energy exchange collisions, it is transferred to the active laser water molecules. Nitrogen is added to stabilize the discharge and allow coherent emission at 4.6 microns with a theoretical efficiency of about 58%.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward C. Malarkey
- 👤 Robert P. Pautienus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:42
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/14; H01S3/22; H01S3/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A laser for producing coherent radiation comprising a pair of spaced-apart reflectors forming a resonant cavity for reflecting coherent radiation, an envelope disposed between the mirrors and having transparent end windows adjacent the mirrors, a gaseous mixture within the envelope, said gaseous mixture comprising water vapor, nitrogen and a gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydrogen deuteride, and means for exciting the gas mixture by electrical energy to raise the gas selected from hydrogen and hydrogen deuteride to its first metastable state, whereby laser emission in a range of about 3 to 5 microns is induced by vibrationally exciting the water vapor molecules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A laser for producing coherent radiation comprising a pair of spaced-apart reflectors forming a resonant cavity for reflecting coherent radiation, an envelope disposed between the mirrors and having transparent end windows adjacent the mirrors, a gaseous mixture within the envelope, said gaseous mixture comprising water vapor, nitrogen and a gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydrogen deuteride, and means for exciting the gas mixture by electrical energy to raise the gas selected from hydrogen and hydrogen deuteride to its first metastable state, whereby laser emission in a range of about 3 to 5 microns is induced by vibrationally exciting the water vapor molecules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein the partial pressure of water vapor in said mixture is about 0.05 to 0.10 Torr, the partial pressure of nitrogen is about 1 to 5 Torr, and the partial pressure of a gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydrogen deuteride is about 0.05 Torr.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein said gas mixture additionally includes oxygen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laser of claim 1 is wherein the laser emission occurs at about 4.6 microns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3596202A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-09 | 1981-07-11 | 1982-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-09 | 1985-07-11 | 1986-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-09 | 1989-07-11 | 1990-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |