US4121178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser capable of producing a frequency standard
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1976-11-05
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Granted: 1978-10-17
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Expires: 1996-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A laser for producing a stable frequency standard which finds applicability within a clock. The laser contains a pair of active materials having close but non-overlapping gain profiles so that the laser can oscillate at frequencies particular to each active material without interraction therebetween. The beat frequency generated between the two laser frequencies is highly stable and can be readily used as a frequency standard.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard R. Schlossberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/13; H01S3/139
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A laser capable of producing a stable frequency standard comprising means for containing a pair of different active materials, a pair of active materials located in said containing means, said containing means being configured so as to allow high pressure operation to take place therein, each of said pair of active materials being gaseous and maintained in said containing means under said high pressure, said active materials having close but non-overlapping gain profiles, a resonator enclosing said containing means, means for activating said active materials thereby producing an output in the form of two laser frequencies, means for containing an absorbing gas, an absorbing gas located within said absorbing gas containing means, said absorbing gas having an absorption profile which is overlapped by one of said laser frequencies, means operably connected to said resonator for locking said overlapping laser frequency to the center of said absorption profile of said absorbing gas and means for detecting said two laser frequencies and producing a single output at the difference frequency between said two laser frequencies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A laser capable of producing a stable frequency standard comprising means for containing a pair of different active materials, a pair of active materials located in said containing means, said containing means being configured so as to allow high pressure operation to take place therein, each of said pair of active materials being gaseous and maintained in said containing means under said high pressure, said active materials having close but non-overlapping gain profiles, a resonator enclosing said containing means, means for activating said active materials thereby producing an output in the form of two laser frequencies, means for containing an absorbing gas, an absorbing gas located within said absorbing gas containing means, said absorbing gas having an absorption profile which is overlapped by one of said laser frequencies, means operably connected to said resonator for locking said overlapping laser frequency to the center of said absorption profile of said absorbing gas and means for detecting said two laser frequencies and producing a single output at the difference frequency between said two laser frequencies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A laser capable of producing a stable frequency standard as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking means locks said overlapping laser frequency to the Lamb Dip of said absorption profile of said absorbing gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A laser capable of producing a stable frequency standard as defined in claim 2 wherein said containing means for said absorbing gas is located within said resonator and is in the form of Brewster angle windows.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laser capable of producing a stable frequency standard as defined in claim 3 wherein all of said gases are isotopic species of CO 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laser capable of producing a stable frequency standard as defined in claim 1 wherein said active materials are two isotopic species of the same gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A laser capable of producing a stable frequency standard as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for containing said active materials is in the form of a waveguide structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A laser capable of producing a stable frequency standard as defined in claim 1 wherein said high pressure is at least 300 torr.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A laser capable of producing a stable frequency standard as defined in claim 7 wherein the expression Q A /Q C for each of said active materials is made substantially identical and where Q A is the molecular line Q and Q C is the optical resonator Q.
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) | 1981-10-16 | 1982-04-17 | 1982-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-16 | 1986-04-17 | 1986-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-16 | 1990-04-17 | 1990-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |