US4132962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunable laser system
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1977-08-10
•
Granted: 1979-01-02
•
Expires: 1997-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A tunable laser system emitting coherent radiation selectively variable over the range of wavelengths from about 2760 A to about 3220 A utilizes a crystal, composed of fluoride of at least a Column IIIb metal doped with trivalent ions of cerium and pumped with high average power pulses. The crystal is emplaced in an optical cavity having means such as diffraction grating, etalon, or optically-tunable prism, to vary the coherent emission wavelength.
Inventors
- 👤 Kei-Hsiung Yang
- 👤 John A. DeLuca
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/14; H01S3/16; H01S3/02; H01S3/04; H01S3/042; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08004; H01S3/08009; H01S3/0405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A laser system tunable over one of a plurality of wavelength ranges in the over-all wavelength range of about 2760 angstroms to about 3220 angstroms, comprising: a crystal of a host material containing the fluoride of at least a Column IIIb metal and having the lattice thereof activated by trivalent cerium; excitation means for pumping said crystal with energy having wavelengths between about 1900 angstroms and about 2600 angstroms in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum to cause said crystal to fluoresce over the selected wavelength range; and optical means comprising an optical cavity and including means for selecting a particular wavelength within said selected wavelength range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A laser system tunable over one of a plurality of wavelength ranges in the over-all wavelength range of about 2760 angstroms to about 3220 angstroms, comprising: a crystal of a host material containing the fluoride of at least a Column IIIb metal and having the lattice thereof activated by trivalent cerium; excitation means for pumping said crystal with energy having wavelengths between about 1900 angstroms and about 2600 angstroms in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum to cause said crystal to fluoresce over the selected wavelength range; and optical means comprising an optical cavity and including means for selecting a particular wavelength within said selected wavelength range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cerium-activated host material is LaF 3 , said system having an approximate tuning range from about 2760 A to about 3120 A.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cerium-activated host material is LuF 3 , said system having an approximate tuning range from about 2880 A to about 3220 A.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said excitation means comprises a noble-gas halide laser, and optical means for focusing the output of said laser upon the surface of said crystal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said optical cavity includes partially-transmissive mirror means spaced from a first end surface of said crystal, said mirror means having a plane thereof essentially transverse to a central optical axis of said crystal; and means spaced from an opposite end surface of said crystal for selecting a particular wavelength within said selected wavelength range for reflection along said central optical axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said wavelength selection means comprises diffraction grating means, and pivot means positioned along said central optical axis for facilitating rotation of said diffraction grating means at different angular orientations with respect to said central optical axis to select the particular wavelength for reflection along said central optical axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A laser system producing coherent radiation at a single wavelength between about 2760 A, and about 3220 A, comprising: a crystal of a host material containing of at least a Column IIIb metal and having the lattice thereof activated by trivalent cerium; and excitation means for pumping said crystal with energy having wavelengths between about 1900 angstroms and about 2600 angstroms in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum to cause said crystal to emit photons at a peak wavelength of the fluorescence emission band of said crystal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
A laser system producing coherent radiation at a single wavelength between about 2760 A, and about 3220 A, comprising: a crystal of a host material containing of at least a Column IIIb metal and having the lattice thereof activated by trivalent cerium; and excitation means for pumping said crystal with energy having wavelengths between about 1900 angstroms and about 2600 angstroms in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum to cause said crystal to emit photons at a peak wavelength of the fluorescence emission band of said crystal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of: LaF 3 and LuF 3 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said excitation means comprises a noble-gas halide laser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4083018A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-01 | 1982-07-03 | 1983-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-01 | 1986-07-03 | 1987-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-01 | 1990-07-03 | 1991-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |