Patent US4163199A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4163199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal-radiation excited vibrational-exchange pumped laser generator
Assignee: Calspan Corp
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Filing: 1977-07-01
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Granted: 1979-07-31
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Expires: 1997-07-01
Abstract
Abstract Thermal radiation, or any incoherent radiation at the desired wavelenths, is converted into laser energy by using radiant absorption from a radiation source by a cold gas. The cold gas absorbs vibrational energy while remaining otherwise cold, and exchange of vibrational energy between molecules at this low temperature causes population inversions.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Treanor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for optically pumping a laser from an incoherent radiation source including the steps of: passing a lasant gas through a laser generator; supplying incoherent radiation containing the correct wavelengths for absorption by the lasant gas into the laser generator; filtering the incoherent radiation supplied into the laser generator to reject wavelengths unsuitable for vibrational absorption whereby only correct wavelengths reach the lasant gas which is then excited by vibration-vibration exchange while remaining otherwise cool; and passing the excited lasant gas to a laser cavity where the excited lasant gas relaxes to produce lasing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for optically pumping a laser from an incoherent radiation source including the steps of: passing a lasant gas through a laser generator; supplying incoherent radiation containing the correct wavelengths for absorption by the lasant gas into the laser generator; filtering the incoherent radiation supplied into the laser generator to reject wavelengths unsuitable for vibrational absorption whereby only correct wavelengths reach the lasant gas which is then excited by vibration-vibration exchange while remaining otherwise cool; and passing the excited lasant gas to a laser cavity where the excited lasant gas relaxes to produce lasing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lasant gas includes carbon monoxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the relaxed lasant gas is recycled to the laser generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lasant gas is pressure broadened to expand the correct wavelengths for absorption and to provide tunability.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for changing incoherent radiation into coherent radiation including: annular laser generator means for supplying incoherent radiation including desired wavelengths; a source of lasant; optically transparent lasant supply means connected to said source of lasant and axially passing through said laser generator means; filtering means located in said laser generator means for rejecting wavelengths unsuitable for vibrational absorption, whereby only correct wavelengths reach the lasant which is then excited by vibration-vibration exchange while remaining otherwise cool; and laser cavity means connected to said optically transparent supply means for receiving the excited lasant which relaxes to produce lasing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for changing incoherent radiation into coherent radiation including: annular laser generator means for supplying incoherent radiation including desired wavelengths; a source of lasant; optically transparent lasant supply means connected to said source of lasant and axially passing through said laser generator means; filtering means located in said laser generator means for rejecting wavelengths unsuitable for vibrational absorption, whereby only correct wavelengths reach the lasant which is then excited by vibration-vibration exchange while remaining otherwise cool; and laser cavity means connected to said optically transparent supply means for receiving the excited lasant which relaxes to produce lasing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including means for recycling the relaxed lasant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said gas includes carbon monoxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including an optically transparent cooling jacket surrounding said optically transparent supply means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said filtering means is an interference coating on said cooling jacket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said lasant includes a diluent at high pressure to pressure broaden the correct wavelengths, to limit temperature increases in the lasant and to provide tunability.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a vacuum separates said annular laser generator means from said optically transparent lasant supply means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said lasant is a mixture including a laser gas diluted with a non-radiating gas that is resonant with the laser gas and which will store vibrational energy without increasing the absorption rate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said laser gas is carbon monoxide and said non-radiating gas is nitrogen.
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) | 1982-07-30 | 1983-01-29 | 1983-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-30 | 1987-01-29 | 1987-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-30 | 1991-01-29 | 1991-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |