US4229106A
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Electromagnetic wave ring resonator
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1978-05-18
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Granted: 1980-10-21
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Expires: 1998-05-18
Abstract
Abstract An electromagnetic wave ring resonator is disclosed including means to spatially rotate the electromagnetic field distribution of waves resonant therein about the direction of propagation of such waves to enable such waves to resonate with opposite senses of circular polarization, and means, including a laser amplifier medium, to provide different indices of refraction to resonant waves of the same sense of circular polarization as they pass through such laser amplifier medium in different directions. With such arrangement the two mentioned means enable the waves to resonate with four different frequencies. In a laser gyroscope using such ring resonator the electromagnetic field distribution rotating means includes a catoptric arrangement which, together with the last-mentioned means, reduces the loss, scatter and linear birefringence associated with the ring resonator included in such gyroscope. The last-mentioned means produces the Zeeman effect in the laser medium and efficiently provides different optical pathlengths for waves passing through such medium because the magnetic field vector of such waves interacts with the processing atomic magnetic dipoles of the amplifier medium at the emission frequency of such amplifier medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry A. Dorschner
- 👤 Irl W. Smith, Jr.
- 👤 Hermann Statz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/083; G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/58; G01C19/64; G01C19/66; G01C19/667; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
In combination: (a) an electromagnetic wave ring resonator wherein resonant electromagnetic waves propagate through a non-solid medium, such resonator including an amplifier medium; (b) means, included in such ring resonator, for spatially rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of the resonant electromagnetic waves as such waves pass through the non-solid medium about the direction of propagation of such waves to enable such electromagnetic waves in such resonator to resonate with different frequencies; and (c) means, including the amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of the same polarization sense passing through such medium in different directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
In combination: (a) an electromagnetic wave ring resonator wherein resonant electromagnetic waves propagate through a non-solid medium, such resonator including an amplifier medium; (b) means, included in such ring resonator, for spatially rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of the resonant electromagnetic waves as such waves pass through the non-solid medium about the direction of propagation of such waves to enable such electromagnetic waves in such resonator to resonate with different frequencies; and (c) means, including the amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of the same polarization sense passing through such medium in different directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein the rotating means includes a plurality of reflectors arranged to provide a phase difference between circularly polarized electromagnetic waves of opposite polarization senses to enable such waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate in such ring resonator with different frequencies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination recited in claim 2 wherein such ring resonator includes a non-solid medium and wherein such rotating means rotates the electromagnetic field distribution of such resonant electromagnetic waves as such waves pass through such non-solid medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination recited in claim 3 wherein such rotating means includes a catoptric system for directing the electromagnetic waves through the non-solid medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination recited in claim 4 wherein a section of such resonant electromagnetic waves is disposed in a first plane and a second section of such resonant electromagnetic waves is disposed in a second, intersecting plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination recited in claim 5 including a laser amplifier medium disposed in the ring resonator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
In combination: (a) an electromagnetic wave ring resonator including an amplifier medium; (b) a plurality of reflectors, included in such resonator, for directing electromagnetic waves resonant in such resonator through a predetermined path as such waves pass through a non-solid medium, one section of such path being disposed in a first plane and a second section of such path being disposed in a second intersecting plane such plurality of reflectors being arranged to enable circularly polarized waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate in such resonator with different frequencies; and (c) means, including the laser amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of the same polarization sense passing through such medium in different directions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
In combination: (a) an electromagnetic wave ring resonator including an amplifier medium; (b) a plurality of reflectors, included in such resonator, for directing electromagnetic waves resonant in such resonator through a predetermined path as such waves pass through a non-solid medium, one section of such path being disposed in a first plane and a second section of such path being disposed in a second intersecting plane such plurality of reflectors being arranged to enable circularly polarized waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate in such resonator with different frequencies; and (c) means, including the laser amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of the same polarization sense passing through such medium in different directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination recited in claim 7 wherein such directing means enables such resonant electromagnetic waves to resonate in such ring laser with circular polarization.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination recited in claim 8 wherein such ring resonator includes a non-solid medium and wherein the plurality of reflectors directs the resonant electromagnetic waves through such non-solid medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
In combination: (a) an electromagnetic wave ring resonator including an amplifier medium; (b) a plurality of reflectors included in such resonator, arranged to enable circularly polarized waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate in such resonator with different frequencies; and (c) means for producing a magnetic field in such amplifier medium to enable such waves to resonate with four different frequencies.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
In combination: (a) an electromagnetic wave ring resonator including an amplifier medium; (b) a plurality of reflectors included in such resonator, arranged to enable circularly polarized waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate in such resonator with different frequencies; and (c) means for producing a magnetic field in such amplifier medium to enable such waves to resonate with four different frequencies.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination recited in claim 10 wherein such plurality of reflectors directs electromagnetic waves resonant in such ring resonator through a predetermined path, one section of such path being disposed in a first plane and a second section of such path being disposed in a second, intersecting plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
In combination: (a) an electromagnetic wave ring resonator including an amplifier medium; (b) a non-solid medium disposed in the path of circularly polarized electromagnetic waves resonant in such ring resonator; (c) means for altering the electromagnetic field distribution of the waves passing through such non-solid medium to enable such circularly polarized electromagnetic waves to resonate with different frequencies and having opposite sense of circular polarization; and (d) means for producing a magnetic field in the amplifier medium to provide different indices of refraction to such waves of the same circular polarization sense as such waves pass through the amplifier medium in the different directions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
104 words
In combination: (a) an electromagnetic wave ring resonator including an amplifier medium; (b) a non-solid medium disposed in the path of circularly polarized electromagnetic waves resonant in such ring resonator; (c) means for altering the electromagnetic field distribution of the waves passing through such non-solid medium to enable such circularly polarized electromagnetic waves to resonate with different frequencies and having opposite sense of circular polarization; and (d) means for producing a magnetic field in the amplifier medium to provide different indices of refraction to such waves of the same circular polarization sense as such waves pass through the amplifier medium in the different directions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a laser gyroscope wherein a ring resonator is included to support two pairs of circularly polarized waves, the waves of each of such pairs having opposite polarization senses, one of such pairs of waves propagating around the ring resonator in a first direction and the other one of such pairs of waves propagating around such ring resonator in the opposite direction, each one of the waves in the two pairs thereof having a different frequency, the improvement characterized by a plurality of reflectors, included in such ring resonator, arranged to provide a phase difference between waves of opposite polarization senses to enable such waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate at different frequencies, and means, including a laser amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of the same polarization sense passing through such medium in different directions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a laser gyroscope wherein a ring resonator is included to support two pairs of circularly polarized waves, the waves of each of such pairs having opposite polarization senses, one of such pairs of waves propagating around the ring resonator in a first direction and the other one of such pairs of waves propagating around such ring resonator in the opposite direction, each one of the waves in the two pairs thereof having a different frequency, the improvement characterized by a plurality of reflectors, included in such ring resonator, arranged to provide a phase difference between waves of opposite polarization senses to enable such waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate at different frequencies, and means, including a laser amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of the same polarization sense passing through such medium in different directions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement recited in claim 13 wherein such ring resonator includes a non-solid medium and wherein such plurality of reflectors rotates the electromagnetic field distribution of such resonant waves as such waves pass through such non-solid medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination recited in claim 14 wherein such plurality of reflectors direct the waves through the non-solid medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination recited in claim 15 wherein a section of such resonant waves is disposed in a first plane and a second section of such waves is disposed in a second, intersecting, plane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a laser gyroscope wherein four circularly polarized laser waves resonate in a ring resonator, the improvement characterized by means included in such ring resonator for directing such waves through a predetermined path, one section of such path being disposed in a first plane and a second section of such path being disposed in a second, intersecting plane to enable such waves to resonate with different frequencies and opposite polarization senses and means, including a laser amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of some polarization sense, passing through such medium in different directions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a laser gyroscope wherein four circularly polarized laser waves resonate in a ring resonator, the improvement characterized by means included in such ring resonator for directing such waves through a predetermined path, one section of such path being disposed in a first plane and a second section of such path being disposed in a second, intersecting plane to enable such waves to resonate with different frequencies and opposite polarization senses and means, including a laser amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of some polarization sense, passing through such medium in different directions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement recited in claim 17 wherein such waves pass through a non-solid medium and wherein such plurality of reflectors directs the waves through such medium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a laser gyroscope wherein laser waves resonate in a ring resonator, the improvement comprising: (a) a non-solid medium disposed in the path of the waves; (b) means for spatially rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of such waves about the direction of propagation of such waves as such waves pass through the non-solid medium to enable electromagnetic waves in such resonator to resonate at different frequencies; and (c) means including a laser amplifier medium for providing different indices of refraction to waves of same polarization sense passing through such laser amplifier medium in different directions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a laser gyroscope wherein laser waves resonate in a ring resonator, the improvement comprising: (a) a non-solid medium disposed in the path of the waves; (b) means for spatially rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of such waves about the direction of propagation of such waves as such waves pass through the non-solid medium to enable electromagnetic waves in such resonator to resonate at different frequencies; and (c) means including a laser amplifier medium for providing different indices of refraction to waves of same polarization sense passing through such laser amplifier medium in different directions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement recited in claim 19 wherein such rotating means directs the waves through a predetermined path, one section of such path being disposed in a first plane, and a second section of such path being disposed in a second, intersecting plane.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement recited in claim 20 wherein the rotating means includes a catoptric system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a laser gyroscope wherein laser waves resonate in a ring resonator, the improvement comprising: (a) a non-solid medium disposed in the path of circularly polarized waves; (b) means for altering the electromagnetic field distribution of the waves passing through such non-solid medium to enable such circularly polarized waves to resonate with different frequencies; and (c) means, including a laser amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of the same polarization sense passing through such laser amplifier medium in different directions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a laser gyroscope wherein laser waves resonate in a ring resonator, the improvement comprising: (a) a non-solid medium disposed in the path of circularly polarized waves; (b) means for altering the electromagnetic field distribution of the waves passing through such non-solid medium to enable such circularly polarized waves to resonate with different frequencies; and (c) means, including a laser amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of the same polarization sense passing through such laser amplifier medium in different directions.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
86 words
A ring laser resonator producing at least four frequencies and comprising: (a) a laser amplifier medium; (b) means for producing a pair of circularly polarized waves having different frequencies comprising means for rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of said waves passing through said laser amplifier medium in the same direction; and (c) means for providing substantially different indices of refraction in said laser amplifier medium to waves passing through said laser amplifier medium in opposite directions by producing a magnetic field in the laser amplifier medium.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
86 words
A ring laser resonator producing at least four frequencies and comprising: (a) a laser amplifier medium; (b) means for producing a pair of circularly polarized waves having different frequencies comprising means for rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of said waves passing through said laser amplifier medium in the same direction; and (c) means for providing substantially different indices of refraction in said laser amplifier medium to waves passing through said laser amplifier medium in opposite directions by producing a magnetic field in the laser amplifier medium.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
55 words
A four frequency ring laser resonator comprising: (a) a laser amplifier medium; (b) means for producing different frequencies in such resonator from waves with opposite senses of circular polarization; and (c) means for providing substantially different indices of refraction in said laser amplifier medium to waves passing through such laser amplifier medium in different directions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
55 words
A four frequency ring laser resonator comprising: (a) a laser amplifier medium; (b) means for producing different frequencies in such resonator from waves with opposite senses of circular polarization; and (c) means for providing substantially different indices of refraction in said laser amplifier medium to waves passing through such laser amplifier medium in different directions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination recited in claim 24 wherein said providing means includes means for producing a magnetic field in the laser amplifier medium.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
162 words
A laser gyroscope wherein a ring resonator is included to support two pairs of circularly polarized waves, the waves of each of the pairs having opposite polarization senses, one wave of each pair of waves propagating around the ring resonator in a first direction and the other wave of each pair of waves propagating around the ring resonator in the opposite direction, each one of the waves in the two pairs having a different frequency, the improvement characterized by a plurality of reflectors, included in the ring resonator arranged for spatially rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of the resonant waves about the direction of propagation of the waves to provide a phase difference between waves of opposite polarization senses to enable the waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate at different frequencies, a laser amplifier medium, and means for applying a magnetic field to the laser amplifier medium for providing predetermined indices of refraction to waves passing through the laser amplifier medium.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
162 words
A laser gyroscope wherein a ring resonator is included to support two pairs of circularly polarized waves, the waves of each of the pairs having opposite polarization senses, one wave of each pair of waves propagating around the ring resonator in a first direction and the other wave of each pair of waves propagating around the ring resonator in the opposite direction, each one of the waves in the two pairs having a different frequency, the improvement characterized by a plurality of reflectors, included in the ring resonator arranged for spatially rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of the resonant waves about the direction of propagation of the waves to provide a phase difference between waves of opposite polarization senses to enable the waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate at different frequencies, a laser amplifier medium, and means for applying a magnetic field to the laser amplifier medium for providing predetermined indices of refraction to waves passing through the laser amplifier medium.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
161 words
A laser gyroscope wherein a ring resonator is included to support two pairs of circularly polarized waves, the waves of each of the pairs having opposite polarization senses, one wave of each pair of waves propagating around the ring resonator in a first direction and the other wave of each pair of waves propagating around the ring resonator in the opposite direction, each one of the waves in the two pairs having a different frequency, the improvement characterized by means for providing a nonplanar propagation path the waves for spatially rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of the resonant waves about the direction of propagation of the waves to provide a phase difference between waves of opposite polarization senses to enable the waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate at different frequencies, a laser amplifier medium, and means for applying a magnetic field to the laser amplifier medium for providing predetermined indices of refraction to waves passing through the laser amplifier medium.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
161 words
A laser gyroscope wherein a ring resonator is included to support two pairs of circularly polarized waves, the waves of each of the pairs having opposite polarization senses, one wave of each pair of waves propagating around the ring resonator in a first direction and the other wave of each pair of waves propagating around the ring resonator in the opposite direction, each one of the waves in the two pairs having a different frequency, the improvement characterized by means for providing a nonplanar propagation path the waves for spatially rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of the resonant waves about the direction of propagation of the waves to provide a phase difference between waves of opposite polarization senses to enable the waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate at different frequencies, a laser amplifier medium, and means for applying a magnetic field to the laser amplifier medium for providing predetermined indices of refraction to waves passing through the laser amplifier medium.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
158 words
A laser gyroscope wherein a ring resonator is included to support two pairs of circularly polarized waves, the waves of each of the pairs having opposite polarization senses, one wave of each pair of waves propagating around the ring resonator in a first direction and the other wave of each pair of waves propagating around such ring resonator in the opposite direction, each one of the waves in the two pairs having a different frequency, the improvement characterized by means for providing a nonplanar propagation path for spatially rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of the resonant waves about the direction of propagation of the waves to provide a phase difference between waves of opposite polarization senses to enable the waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate a different frequencies, and means, including a laser amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of the same polarization sense passing through the laser amplifier medium in different directions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
158 words
A laser gyroscope wherein a ring resonator is included to support two pairs of circularly polarized waves, the waves of each of the pairs having opposite polarization senses, one wave of each pair of waves propagating around the ring resonator in a first direction and the other wave of each pair of waves propagating around such ring resonator in the opposite direction, each one of the waves in the two pairs having a different frequency, the improvement characterized by means for providing a nonplanar propagation path for spatially rotating the electromagnetic field distribution of the resonant waves about the direction of propagation of the waves to provide a phase difference between waves of opposite polarization senses to enable the waves of opposite polarization senses to resonate a different frequencies, and means, including a laser amplifier medium, for providing different indices of refraction to waves of the same polarization sense passing through the laser amplifier medium in different directions.
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) | 1983-10-21 | 1984-04-21 | 1984-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-21 | 1988-04-21 | 1988-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-21 | 1992-04-21 | 1992-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |