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US4085387A
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Stark-tuned laser modulator
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1976-08-18
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Granted: 1978-04-18
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Expires: 1996-08-18
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for modulating the R(18) or the R(24) lines of the (00°1 - 10°0) vibrational band of a C 13 O 2 16 laser using Stark-tuned absorption resonances in N 14 H 3 . A dc electric field is applied to a Stark cell containing N 14 H 3 gas to tune the asQ(6,6) absorbing transition in N 14 H 3 so as to overlap the R(18) laser line or the asQ(2,2) transition so as to overlap the R(24) line. Modulating frequencies approaching 300 MHz can be employed, and a 100% modulation depth is achievable with audio modulating frequencies. Unsaturated modulation has been obtained using a Stark cell of 10 cm length and containing N 14 H 3 gas at a pressure of 0.45 Torr for a laser power density of 12 watts per cm 2 .
Inventors
- 👤 Charles K. Asawa
- 👤 Thomas K. Plant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:23
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/17; G02F1/174
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A laser modulator comprising in combination: means including a C 13 O 2 16 laser medium for generating a laser beam at a frequency corresponding to a transition selected from the group consisting of the R(18) transition and the R(24) transition of the (00°1-10°0) vibrational band of C 13 O 2 16 ; a Stark cell disposed in the path of said laser beam and containing N 14 H 3 gas, said gas having an absorption resonance in the vicinity of the frequency of said laser beam; means for generating a dc electric field within said Stark cell of a value to tune said absorption resonance so as to overlap the frequency of said laser beam; and means for applying a modulating voltage to said Stark cell to vary the instantaneous frequency of said absorption resonance and thereby modulate said laser beam accordingly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A laser modulator comprising in combination: means including a C 13 O 2 16 laser medium for generating a laser beam at a frequency corresponding to a transition selected from the group consisting of the R(18) transition and the R(24) transition of the (00°1-10°0) vibrational band of C 13 O 2 16 ; a Stark cell disposed in the path of said laser beam and containing N 14 H 3 gas, said gas having an absorption resonance in the vicinity of the frequency of said laser beam; means for generating a dc electric field within said Stark cell of a value to tune said absorption resonance so as to overlap the frequency of said laser beam; and means for applying a modulating voltage to said Stark cell to vary the instantaneous frequency of said absorption resonance and thereby modulate said laser beam accordingly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A laser modulator according to claim 1 wherein said laser beam is at a frequency corresponding to said R(18) transition, and said dc electric field is of a value to tune the absorption resonance of said N 14 H 3 gas corresponding to the asQ(6,6) transition of N 14 H 3 to overlap the frequency of said laser beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A laser modulator according to claim 2 wherein said N 14 H 3 gas is at a pressure ranging from about 0.45 Torr to about 0.7 Torr.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
A laser modulator according to claim 1 wherein said laser beam is at a frequency corresponding to said R(18) transition, and said dc electric field of a value to tune the absorption resonance of said N 14 H 3 gas corresponding to the asQ(6,6) transition of N 14 H 3 from a Stark level given by the quantum number M, representing the molecular angular momentum component along the direction of said electric field, selected from the group consisting of |M| = 6, 5 and 4 to overlap the frequency of said laser beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
A laser modulator according to claim 4 wherein |M| = 6.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser modulator according to claim 4 wherein said N 14 H 3 gas is at a pressure of about 0.45 Torr.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A laser modulator according to claim 1 wherein said laser beam is at a frequency corresponding to said R(24) transition, and said dc electric field is of a value to tune the absorption resonance of said N 14 H 3 gas corresponding to the asQ(2,2) transition of N 14 H 3 to overlap the frequency of said laser beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
A laser modulator according to claim 1 wherein said laser beam is at a frequency corresponding to said R(24) transition, and said dc electric field is of a value to tune the absorption resonance of said N 14 H 3 gas corresponding to the asQ(2,2) transition of N 14 H 3 from the Stark level given by the quantum number |M| = 2, representing the molecular angular momentum component along the direction of said electric field, to overlap the frequency of said laser beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser modulator according to claim 8 wherein said N 14 H 3 gas is at a pressure of about 0.25 Torr.
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) | 1981-04-17 | 1981-10-17 | 1982-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-17 | 1985-10-17 | 1986-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-17 | 1989-10-17 | 1990-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |