Patent US4229710A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4229710A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wavelength selector for tunable laser
Assignee: Laser Photonics Inc
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Filing: 1978-07-03
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Granted: 1980-10-21
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Expires: 1998-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A wavelength selector for use in a laser cavity comprising a diffraction grating mounted at an angle near grazing incidence with respect to the beam travelling away from the excited medium and a reflector which reflects the beam diffracted by the grating back along its incidence path. Wavelength tuning is accomplished by rorating this reflector, while the grating remains fixed. Rotation of the grating provides linewidth variation. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a new improvement in mounting a diffraction grating in optical systems, and more particularly to the applicability of this improvement for use in a laser cavity. The invention is envisaged as being applicable to dye lasers, high-pressure gas lasers, semiconductor diode lasers, and in general any type of laser which may be frequency-tuned by an external cavity. It is also applicable, mutatis mutandis, for use in spectrometers and parametric devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Itamar Shoshan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:06
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/0811; H01S3/0812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A wavelength selector comprising: a diffraction grating disposed at a grazing angle to an incident beam of light; and first reflecting means disposed so as to receive a dispersive beam of light diffracted from said grating at a non-zero diffraction order along a reflection path angled with respect to said incident beam of light and to reflect it back to said grating in an opposite direction along said reflection path, thereby to provide a second diffraction of said incident beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A wavelength selector comprising: a diffraction grating disposed at a grazing angle to an incident beam of light; and first reflecting means disposed so as to receive a dispersive beam of light diffracted from said grating at a non-zero diffraction order along a reflection path angled with respect to said incident beam of light and to reflect it back to said grating in an opposite direction along said reflection path, thereby to provide a second diffraction of said incident beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A wavelength selector according to claim 1 and wherein said first reflecting means is rotatably mounted for providing selectable wavelength tuning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wavelength selector according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein said grating is an echelle grating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A wavelength selector according to claim 1 in association with second reflecting means so as to define a laser cavity between said second reflecting means and said first reflecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to either claim 1 or claim 4 wherein said first reflecting means comprises a grating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to either claim 1 or claim 4 wherein said first reflecting means comprises a mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to either claim 1 or claim 4 and also comprising an etalon disposed intermediate said diffraction grating and said first reflecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A laser including as its resonant cavity the device of claim 4 and wherein said diffraction grating is disposed such that the zero order of diffraction thereof provides a laser output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A laser including as its resonant cavity the device of claim 4 and wherein said second reflecting means is arranged so as to couple out laser energy from said laser cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device including a laser and a wavelength selector according to claim 1 and wherein said diffraction grating is disposed to receive an incident beam of light from a laser cavity of said laser and is located outside the laser cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device including a laser and a wavelength selector according to claim 1 and wherein said diffraction grating is disposed to receive an incident beam of light from a laser cavity of said laser and is located therewithin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A wavelength selector comprising: a diffraction grating disposed at a grazing angle to an incident beam of light; and first reflecting means disposed so as to receive a diffracted beam of light from said grating and to reflect it back to said grating, thereby to provide a second diffraction of said incident beam, said first reflecting means comprising a cylindrical mirror.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A wavelength selector comprising: a diffraction grating disposed at a grazing angle to an incident beam of light; and first reflecting means disposed so as to receive a diffracted beam of light from said grating and to reflect it back to said grating, thereby to provide a second diffraction of said incident beam, said first reflecting means comprising a cylindrical mirror.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
Laser apparatus including a wavelength selector comprising: a diffraction grating disposed at a grazing angle to an incident beam of light; first reflecting means comprising a cylindrical mirror and disposed so as to receive a diffracted beam of light from said grating and to reflect it back to said grating, thereby to provide a second diffraction of said incident beam; and second reflecting means associated with said first reflecting means so as to define a laser cavity between said first and second reflecting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
84 words
Laser apparatus including a wavelength selector comprising: a diffraction grating disposed at a grazing angle to an incident beam of light; first reflecting means comprising a cylindrical mirror and disposed so as to receive a diffracted beam of light from said grating and to reflect it back to said grating, thereby to provide a second diffraction of said incident beam; and second reflecting means associated with said first reflecting means so as to define a laser cavity between said first and second reflecting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
99 words
A wavelength selector comprising: a diffraction grating disposed at a grazing angle to an incident beam of light; first reflecting means disposed so as to receive a diffracted beam of light from said grating and to reflect it back to said grating, thereby to provide a second diffraction of said incident beam, said first reflecting means being rotatably mounted for providing selectable wavelength tuning, and mounting means fixed with respect to said first reflecting means for rotation together therewith and an etalon disposed intermediate said diffraction grating and said first reflecting means and rotatably mounted onto said mounting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
A wavelength selector comprising: a diffraction grating disposed at a grazing angle to an incident beam of light; first reflecting means disposed so as to receive a diffracted beam of light from said grating and to reflect it back to said grating, thereby to provide a second diffraction of said incident beam, said first reflecting means being rotatably mounted for providing selectable wavelength tuning, and mounting means fixed with respect to said first reflecting means for rotation together therewith and an etalon disposed intermediate said diffraction grating and said first reflecting means and rotatably mounted onto said mounting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
125 words
Laser apparatus including a wavelength selector comprising: a diffraction grating disposed at a grazing angle to an incident beam of light; first reflecting means disposed so as to receive a diffracted beam of light from said grating and to reflect it back to said grating, thereby to provide a second diffraction of said incident beam, said first reflecting means being rotatably mounted for providing selectable wavelength tuning; mounting means fixed with respect to said first reflecting means for rotation together therewith and an etalon disposed intermediate said diffraction grating and said first reflecting means and rotatably mounted onto said mounting means; and second reflecting means associated with said first reflecting means so as to define a laser cavity between said first and second reflecting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
125 words
Laser apparatus including a wavelength selector comprising: a diffraction grating disposed at a grazing angle to an incident beam of light; first reflecting means disposed so as to receive a diffracted beam of light from said grating and to reflect it back to said grating, thereby to provide a second diffraction of said incident beam, said first reflecting means being rotatably mounted for providing selectable wavelength tuning; mounting means fixed with respect to said first reflecting means for rotation together therewith and an etalon disposed intermediate said diffraction grating and said first reflecting means and rotatably mounted onto said mounting means; and second reflecting means associated with said first reflecting means so as to define a laser cavity between said first and second reflecting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3684979A
Cited
US3691477A
Cited
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 |