Patent US4194808A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4194808A
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Wave guide for surface wave transmission of laser radiation
Assignee: LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Filing: 1978-05-26
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Granted: 1980-03-25
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Expires: 1998-05-26
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for transmission of laser radiation in the infrared portion of the spectrum. A 10.6 μm laser beam is focused tangentially upon an inner surface of an elongated synclastic wave guide having a generally oval cross-section, and an output end of the wave guide is directed upon a target. Preservation of spatial mode coherence in the laser beam is demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel E. Marhic
- 👤 Max Epstein
- 👤 Larry I. Kwan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/032; G02B6/10; G02B6/102; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4216; G02B6/4218; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4203; G02B6/4296
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A wave guide for surface wave transmission of a beam of laser radiation having a wavelength of about 1 μm to about 2000 μm, comprising an elongated generally concave channel having a radius of curvature R 1 and a wave reflective inner surface, said channel having a generally semi oval transverse cross-section with an internal radius R 2 , wherein R 2 is less than R 1 and R 1 is less than about 48 meters; whereby spatial mode coherence is preserved during transmission of laser radiation through said wave guide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A wave guide for surface wave transmission of a beam of laser radiation having a wavelength of about 1 μm to about 2000 μm, comprising an elongated generally concave channel having a radius of curvature R 1 and a wave reflective inner surface, said channel having a generally semi oval transverse cross-section with an internal radius R 2 , wherein R 2 is less than R 1 and R 1 is less than about 48 meters; whereby spatial mode coherence is preserved during transmission of laser radiation through said wave guide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The wave guide of claim 1, wherein said wave reflective inner surface comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, aluminum and silver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The wave guide of claim 1, wherein said channel comprises a flexible thermoplastic outer layer and a flexible metal inner layer interior of said outer layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The waveguide of claim 1, wherein said channel has an angle of revolution θ which is at least π radians.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wave guide of claim 1, wherein said channel has an angle of revolution θ which is at least 2 π radians.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The wave guide of claim 1, wherein R 1 is less than about 1 meter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The wave guide of claim 6, wherein R 1 is about 225 millimeters and R 2 is about 5.3 millimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The wave guide of claim 1, wherein said channel is flexible and has an outer surface opposite said wave reflective inner surface, and further comprising an isometrically deformable support having a developable inner face affixed to the outer surface of said channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The wave guide of claim 1, wherein said channel is synclastic.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for surface wave transmission of a laser beam having a frequency of about 1 μm to about 2000 μm, comprising the steps of (a) focusing a laser beam to impinge tangentially upon a wave reflective inner surface of a wave guide comprising a curved, concave channel having a radius of curvature R 1 , a generally oval transverse cross-section with an internal radius R 2 , an open input end, and an open output end; (b) transmitting the laser beam along said wave reflective inner surface; and (c) directing the output end of said channel toward a target to illuminate said target with the laser beam; whereby said laser beam remains spatially coherent during transmission by said wave guide.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for surface wave transmission of a laser beam having a frequency of about 1 μm to about 2000 μm, comprising the steps of (a) focusing a laser beam to impinge tangentially upon a wave reflective inner surface of a wave guide comprising a curved, concave channel having a radius of curvature R 1 , a generally oval transverse cross-section with an internal radius R 2 , an open input end, and an open output end; (b) transmitting the laser beam along said wave reflective inner surface; and (c) directing the output end of said channel toward a target to illuminate said target with the laser beam; whereby said laser beam remains spatially coherent during transmission by said wave guide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said channel is elongated and synclastic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said laser beam is focused to provide a beam diameter of less than about 84 μm at the input end of said channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said channel comprises an equatorial portion, and said laser beam is focused and transmitted along said equatorial portion of the channel.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for surface wave transmission of laser radiation, comprising the steps of (a) focusing a laser beam to impinge upon a wave-reflective inner surface of a wave guide comprising an isometrically deformable developable strip, whereby said laser beam traverses a first path across said inner surface; (b) isometrically deforming said wave guide; and (c) directing an output end of said wave guide toward a target to illuminate said target; whereby a second path traversed by said laser beam across the inner surface of said wave guide after deformation thereof is substantially the same as said first path.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for surface wave transmission of laser radiation, comprising the steps of (a) focusing a laser beam to impinge upon a wave-reflective inner surface of a wave guide comprising an isometrically deformable developable strip, whereby said laser beam traverses a first path across said inner surface; (b) isometrically deforming said wave guide; and (c) directing an output end of said wave guide toward a target to illuminate said target; whereby a second path traversed by said laser beam across the inner surface of said wave guide after deformation thereof is substantially the same as said first path.
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) | 1983-03-25 | 1983-09-24 | 1984-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-25 | 1987-09-24 | 1988-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-25 | 1991-09-24 | 1992-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |