US4222011A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stokes injected Raman capillary waveguide amplifier
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
•
Filing: 1978-10-03
•
Granted: 1980-09-09
•
Expires: 1998-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A device for producing stimulated Raman scattering of CO 2 laser radiation by rotational states in a diatomic molecular gas utilizing a Stokes injection signal. The system utilizes a cryogenically cooled waveguide for extending focal interaction length. The waveguide, in conjunction with the Stokes injection signal, reduces required power density of the CO 2 radiation below the breakdown threshold for the diatomic molecular gas. A Fresnel rhomb is employed to circularly polarize the Stokes injection signal and CO 2 laser radiation in opposite circular directions. The device can be employed either as a regenerative oscillator utilizing optical cavity mirrors or as a single pass amplifier. Additionally, a plurality of Raman gain cells can be staged to increase output power magnitude. Also, in the regenerative oscillator embodiment, the Raman gain cell cavity length and CO 2 cavity length can be matched to provide synchronism between mode locked CO 2 pulses and pulses produced within the Raman gain cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman A. Kurnit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/30; H01S3/302; H01S3/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 114
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A Stokes injected Raman waveguide amplifier comprising: capillary waveguide amplifier means for Raman scattering CO 2 laser radiation by rotational states of a diatomic molecule; means for injecting a separate and independent source of Stokes radiation in said capillary waveguide amplifier means to induce amplification of said Stokes radiation; whereby said Stokes radiation reduces required gain in said capillary waveguide amplifier to generate an amplified Stokes signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A Stokes injected Raman waveguide amplifier comprising: capillary waveguide amplifier means for Raman scattering CO 2 laser radiation by rotational states of a diatomic molecule; means for injecting a separate and independent source of Stokes radiation in said capillary waveguide amplifier means to induce amplification of said Stokes radiation; whereby said Stokes radiation reduces required gain in said capillary waveguide amplifier to generate an amplified Stokes signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 1 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a tunable diode laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier of claim 1 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optically pumped gaseous laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 1 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optical parametric oscillator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier of claim 1 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an electrical discharge gaseous laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier of claim 1 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a difference frequency nonlinear mixer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 1 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a four-wave nonlinear mixer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 3 wherein said optically pumped gaseous laser is frequency shifted by a microwave modulator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 5 wherein said electrical discharge gaseous laser is frequency shifted by a microwave modulator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The amplifier of claim 1 further comprising means for circularly polarizing said CO 2 laser radiation and said source of Stokes radiation in opposite circular directions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The amplifier of claim 1 wherein said CO 2 laser radiation comprises a multifrequency signal such that said amplified Stokes signal comprises a multifrequency output signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A Stokes injected Raman waveguide amplifier comprising: a source of CO 2 laser radiation; a source of Stokes radiation; a capillary waveguide amplifier containing a Raman medium gas; means for injecting said source of CO 2 laser radiation and said source of Stokes radiation into said capillary waveguide amplifier to induce amplification of said Stokes radiation signal by Raman scattering of said CO 2 laser radiation by rotational states of said Raman medium gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
A Stokes injected Raman waveguide amplifier comprising: a source of CO 2 laser radiation; a source of Stokes radiation; a capillary waveguide amplifier containing a Raman medium gas; means for injecting said source of CO 2 laser radiation and said source of Stokes radiation into said capillary waveguide amplifier to induce amplification of said Stokes radiation signal by Raman scattering of said CO 2 laser radiation by rotational states of said Raman medium gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises D 2 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises H 2 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises HD.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises HT.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises DT.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises T 2 .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said capillary waveguide amplifier comprises a cooled Al 2 O 3 capillary disposed within a Raman cell.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said capillary waveguide amplifier comprises a cryogenically cooled MgO capillary.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said capillary waveguide amplifier comprises a cryogenically cooled MgO.Al 2 O 3 capillary.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said capillary waveguide amplifier comprises a cryogenically cooled BeO capillary.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
The amplifier of claim 12 further comprising: means for combining said source of CO 2 laser radiation and said source of Stokes radiation in a single axial path; means for circularly polarizing said source of CO 2 laser radiation and said source of Stokes radiation in opposite circular directions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a diode laser.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optically pumped gaseous laser.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optical parametric oscillator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an electrical discharge gaseous laser.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a difference frequency nonlinear mixer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a four-wave nonlinear mixer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 25 wherein said optically pumped gaseous laser is frequency shifted by a microwave modulator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 27 wherein said electrical discharge gaseous laser is frequency shifted by a microwave modulator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said capillary waveguide amplifier comprises a plurality of optically aligned capillary waveguides.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The amplifier of claim 12 wherein said source of CO 2 laser radiation comprises a multifrequency source of CO 2 laser radiation.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 33 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a multifrequency source of Stokes radiation.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for producing stimulated Raman scattering from rotational transitions in a diatomic molecular gas to amplify a Stokes signal comprising: a separate and independent external source of Stokes radiation; a source of CO 2 laser radiation; an interaction cell containing said diatomic molecular gas; capillary waveguide means disposed within said interaction cell for increasing focal interaction length of said source of Stokes radiation and said source of CO 2 laser radiation with said diatomic molecular gas to produce Raman scattering and amplify said Stokes radiation.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for producing stimulated Raman scattering from rotational transitions in a diatomic molecular gas to amplify a Stokes signal comprising: a separate and independent external source of Stokes radiation; a source of CO 2 laser radiation; an interaction cell containing said diatomic molecular gas; capillary waveguide means disposed within said interaction cell for increasing focal interaction length of said source of Stokes radiation and said source of CO 2 laser radiation with said diatomic molecular gas to produce Raman scattering and amplify said Stokes radiation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said capillary waveguide means is constructed of Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 35 further comprising means for circularly polarizng said source of Stokes radiation and said source of CO 2 laser radiation in opposite circular directions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 35 further comprising an optical resonant cavity formed around said capillary waveguide means and said interaction cell.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises H 2 .
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises D 2 .
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises HD.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises HT.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises DT.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises T 2 .
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises H 2 .
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises D 2 .
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises HD.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises HT.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises DT.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said diatomic molecular gas comprises T 2 .
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optically pumped gaseous laser.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optical parametric oscillator.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a diode laser.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an electrical discharge gaseous laser.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier of claim 35 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a difference frequency nonlinear mixer.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 35 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a four-wave nonlinear mixer.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 51 wherein said optically pumped gaseous laser is frequency shifted by a microwave modulator.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 54 wherein said electrical discharge gaseous laser is frequency shifted by a microwave modulator.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optically pumped gaseous laser.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optical parametric oscillator.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a diode laser.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an electrical discharge gaseous laser.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier of claim 38 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a difference frequency nonlinear mixer.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 38 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a four-wave nonlinear mixer.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 59 wherein said optically pumped gaseous laser is frequency shifted by a microwave modulator.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 62 wherein said electrical discharge gaseous laser is frequency shifted by a microwave modulator.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 38 wherein said source of CO 2 laser radiation has an optical resonant cavity of equal length to said optical resonant cavity formed around said capillary waveguide means.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 35 wherein said capillary waveguide means comprises a plurality of optically aligned capillary waveguides.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
The amplifier of claim 35 wherein said source of CO 2 laser radiation comprises a multifrequency source of CO 2 laser radiation.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 69 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a multifrequency source of Stokes radiation.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
78 words
A Stokes injected Raman waveguide regenerative amplifier comprising: capillary waveguide amplifier means for Raman scattering CO 2 laser radiation by rotational states of a diatomic molecule; means for injecting a separate and independent source of Stokes radiation in said capillary waveguide amplifier means to induce amplification to said Stokes radiation; an optical resonant cavity formed about said capillary waveguide amplifier; whereby said Stokes radiation reduces required gain in said capillary waveguide amplifier to generate an amplified Stokes signal.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
78 words
A Stokes injected Raman waveguide regenerative amplifier comprising: capillary waveguide amplifier means for Raman scattering CO 2 laser radiation by rotational states of a diatomic molecule; means for injecting a separate and independent source of Stokes radiation in said capillary waveguide amplifier means to induce amplification to said Stokes radiation; an optical resonant cavity formed about said capillary waveguide amplifier; whereby said Stokes radiation reduces required gain in said capillary waveguide amplifier to generate an amplified Stokes signal.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 71 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a tunable diode laser.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 71 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optically pumped gaseous laser.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
27 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 71 further comprising means for circularly polarizing said CO 2 laser radiation and said source of Stokes radiation in opposite circular directions.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
26 words
The amplifier of claim 71 wherein said CO 2 laser radiation comprises a multifrequency signal such that said amplified Stokes signal comprises a multifrequency output signal.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
88 words
A Stokes injected Raman waveguide regenerative amplifier comprising: a source of CO 2 laser radiation; a separate and independent source of Stokes radiation; a capillary waveguide amplifier containing a Raman medium gas; means for injecting said source of CO 2 laser radiation and said source of Stokes radiation into said capillary waveguide amplifier to induce amplification of said Stokes radiation signal by Raman scattering of said CO 2 laser radiation by rotational states of said Raman medium gas; an optical resonant cavity formed about said capillary waveguide amplifier.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
88 words
A Stokes injected Raman waveguide regenerative amplifier comprising: a source of CO 2 laser radiation; a separate and independent source of Stokes radiation; a capillary waveguide amplifier containing a Raman medium gas; means for injecting said source of CO 2 laser radiation and said source of Stokes radiation into said capillary waveguide amplifier to induce amplification of said Stokes radiation signal by Raman scattering of said CO 2 laser radiation by rotational states of said Raman medium gas; an optical resonant cavity formed about said capillary waveguide amplifier.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
15 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises D 2 .
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
15 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises H 2 .
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
13 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises HD.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
13 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises HT.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
13 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises DT.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
15 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said Raman medium gas comprises T 2 .
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
25 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said capillary waveguide amplifier comprises a cryogenically cooled Al 2 O 3 capillary disposed within a Raman cell.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said capillary waveguide amplifier comprises a cryogenically cooled MgO capillary.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
20 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said capillary waveguide amplifier comprises a cryogenically cooled MgO.Al 2 O 3 capillary.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
16 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said capillary waveguide amplifier comprises a cryogenically cooled BeO.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
50 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 further comprising: means for combining said source of CO 2 laser radiation and said source of Stokes radiation to a single axial path; means for circularly polarizing said source of CO 2 laser radiation and said source of Stokes radiation in opposite circular directions.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
16 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a diode laser.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optically pumped gaseous laser.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
17 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an optical parametric oscillator.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises an electrical discharge gaseous laser.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier of claim 76 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a difference frequency nonlinear mixer.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of claim 76 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a four-wave nonlinear mixer.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 89 wherein said optically pumped gaseous laser is frequency shifted by a microwave modulator.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 91 wherein said electrical discharge gaseous laser is frequency shifted by a microwave modulator.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
33 words
The regenerative amplifier of claim 76 wherein said source of CO 2 laser radiation has an optical resonant cavity of equal length to said optical resonant cavity formed about said capillary waveguide amplifier.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
22 words
The amplifier of claim 76 wherein said source of CO 2 laser radiation comprises a multifrequency source of CO 2 laser radiation.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amplifier of claim 97 wherein said source of Stokes radiation comprises a multifrequency source of Stokes radiation.
Claim 104
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of amplifying Stokes signals comprising: generating a source of CO 2 laser radiation; generating a separate and independent external source of Raman Stokes radiation; applying said Raman Stokes radiation and said CO 2 laser radiation to a capillary waveguide amplifier containing a diatomic molecular gas to Raman scatter said CO 2 laser radiation and amplify said Raman Stokes radiation.
Claim 105
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of amplifying Stokes signals comprising: generating a source of CO 2 laser radiation; generating a separate and independent external source of Raman Stokes radiation; applying said Raman Stokes radiation and said CO 2 laser radiation to a capillary waveguide amplifier containing a diatomic molecular gas to Raman scatter said CO 2 laser radiation and amplify said Raman Stokes radiation.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 99 further comprising the step of circularly polarizing said Raman Stokes radiation and said CO 2 laser radiation in opposite circular directions.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 99 further comprising the step of cryogenically cooling said capillary waveguide amplifier.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 99 further comprising the step of forming an optical resonant cavity around said capillary waveguide amplifier to pass said Raman Stokes radiation through said capillary waveguide amplifier a plurality of times to regeneratively amplify said Raman Stokes radiation.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 102 wherein said step of forming an optical resonant cavity comprises forming said optical resonant cavity to reflect said CO 2 laser radiation through said capillary waveguie amplifier.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 99 wherein said step of generating a source of CO 2 laser radiation comprises mode locking pulses of said CO 2 laser radiation to synchronize pulses of said CO 2 laser radiation with the Stokes radiation pulses amplified in said optical resonant cavity.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 99 wherein said step of generating a source of CO 2 laser radiation comprises generating a multifrequency source of CO 2 laser radiation.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 105 wherein said step of generating an external source of Raman Stokes radiation comprises generating an external source of multifrequency Raman Stokes radiation.
Claim 113
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of regeneratively amplifying Stokes signals comprising: generating a source of mode locked CO 2 laser radiation pulses; generating a separate and independent external source of Raman Stokes radiation; applying said Raman Stokes radiation and said mode locked CO 2 laser radiation pulses to a capillary waveguide amplifier containing a diatomic molecular gas to Raman scatter said mode locked CO 2 laser radiation pulses and regeneratively amplify said Raman Stokes radiation to form Raman Stokes radiation pulses; forming an optical resonant cavity around said capillary waveguide amplifier to reflect said Raman Stokes radiation pulses through said capillary waveguide amplifier synchronously with said mode locked CO 2 laser pulses.
Claim 114
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of regeneratively amplifying Stokes signals comprising: generating a source of mode locked CO 2 laser radiation pulses; generating a separate and independent external source of Raman Stokes radiation; applying said Raman Stokes radiation and said mode locked CO 2 laser radiation pulses to a capillary waveguide amplifier containing a diatomic molecular gas to Raman scatter said mode locked CO 2 laser radiation pulses and regeneratively amplify said Raman Stokes radiation to form Raman Stokes radiation pulses; forming an optical resonant cavity around said capillary waveguide amplifier to reflect said Raman Stokes radiation pulses through said capillary waveguide amplifier synchronously with said mode locked CO 2 laser pulses.
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) | 1983-09-09 | 1984-03-10 | 1984-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-09 | 1988-03-10 | 1988-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-09 | 1992-03-10 | 1992-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |