US4110703A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1977-04-19
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Granted: 1978-08-29
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Expires: 1997-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser has been developed in which the gas is a mixture of 3 He and a minority gas from the group of argon, krypton, xenon, chlorine and fluorine. The mixture of 3 He and the minority gas produces lasing with a minority gas concentration of from 0.01 to 10 percent argon, 1 percent krypton, 0.01 to 5 percent xenon and small concentrations of chlorine or fluorine.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Fletcher James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 Nelson W. Jalufka
- 👤 Frank Hohl
- 👤 Russell J. DeYoung
- 👤 Michael D. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser comprising: a gas laser cell located between two mirrors to form a resonant cavity, one of said two mirrors having a transmission greater than the other of said two mirrors and being the output mirror of said nuclear pumped laser; a gas mixture consisting of 3 He and a minority gas from the group of argon, krypton, xenon, chlorine and fluorine; a gas-handling system for introducing said gas mixture into said laser cell and for maintaining the proper pressure of the gas mixture; a neutron source for applying a neutron flux of sufficient density to the gas mixture in said laser cell to pump the gas mixture; and a moderator surrounding said laser cell for thermalizing the neutrons produced by the neutron source to take advantage of the large thermal neutron capture cross section of the 3 He.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser comprising: a gas laser cell located between two mirrors to form a resonant cavity, one of said two mirrors having a transmission greater than the other of said two mirrors and being the output mirror of said nuclear pumped laser; a gas mixture consisting of 3 He and a minority gas from the group of argon, krypton, xenon, chlorine and fluorine; a gas-handling system for introducing said gas mixture into said laser cell and for maintaining the proper pressure of the gas mixture; a neutron source for applying a neutron flux of sufficient density to the gas mixture in said laser cell to pump the gas mixture; and a moderator surrounding said laser cell for thermalizing the neutrons produced by the neutron source to take advantage of the large thermal neutron capture cross section of the 3 He.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 1 wherein the pressure of said gas mixture is from 200 Torr to 3000 Torr.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 2 wherein said minority gas is argon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 3 wherein said gas has a concentration of from 0.01 to 10 percent argon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 4 wherein said neutron flux has a threshold value of approximately 2.5 × 10 16 neutrons/cm 2 -sec. for 10 percent argon in 3 He.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 2 wherein said minority gas is krypton.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 6 wherein said neutron flux has a threshold value of approximately 1.1 × 10 17 neutrons/cm 2 -sec. for 1 percent krypton in 3 He.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 2 wherein said minority gas is xenon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 8 wherein said gas mixture has a concentration of from 0.01 to 5 percent xenon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 9 wherein said neutron flux has a threshold value of approximately 4 × 10 15 neutron/cm 2 -sec. for xenon in 3 He.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 2 wherein said minority gas is chlorine lasing at 1.6μ.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser according to claim 2 wherein said minority gas is fluorine lasing at 0.7129μ.
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) | 1981-08-28 | 1982-02-27 | 1982-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-28 | 1986-02-27 | 1986-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-28 | 1990-02-27 | 1990-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |