US4236123A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-power CO laser
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
•
Filing: 1978-06-01
•
Granted: 1980-11-25
•
Expires: 1998-06-01
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses a laser which is free from dependence on oxygen atom dissociators and does not require any electrical input. It is a purely chemical CO laser. This invention discloses a laser in which the combustion is fueled by a suitable fuel-oxidizer, e.g., CH 4 --H 2 --CS 2 --NF 3 , which dissociates the CS 2 into CS and S. The S atoms are generated in the combustor to initiate the chain reaction sequence in which the S,O 2 and CS react so that all of the CS is converted to excited CO which lases in the optical cavity.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph J. Richardson
- 👤 Charles E. Wiswall
- 👤 Richard L. Rasmussen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/095; H01S3/0951; H01S3/0953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of producing a chain reaction CO chemical laser comprising the steps of (a) thermochemically converting CS 2 into CS and S (b) combining the CS and S with a stream of O 2 oxidizer and diluent to produce vibrationally excited CO resulting in an inverted population of CO, (c) passing the CO through a resonant optical cavity to obtain continuous stimulated emission of radiation from the CO, and (d) extracting a coherent laser beam from the optical cavity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of producing a chain reaction CO chemical laser comprising the steps of (a) thermochemically converting CS 2 into CS and S (b) combining the CS and S with a stream of O 2 oxidizer and diluent to produce vibrationally excited CO resulting in an inverted population of CO, (c) passing the CO through a resonant optical cavity to obtain continuous stimulated emission of radiation from the CO, and (d) extracting a coherent laser beam from the optical cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the oxidizer and diluent combination is dry air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ratio of CS to CS 2 in the feed is at least about 5.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ratio of CS to S in the feed is at least about 20.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thermochemical conversion is caused by a C 2 N 2 --O 2 --CS 2 flame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thermochemical conversion is caused by a NF 3 --CH 4 --H 2 --CS 2 flame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the CS and S are extracted from the thermochemical conversion by a supersonic expansion to preserve them as entities for the subsequentlasing reaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the resonant optical cavity is at a pressure of about 3 kPa or more.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4115168A
Cited
US4131863A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-25 | 1984-05-26 | 1984-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-25 | 1988-05-26 | 1988-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-25 | 1992-05-26 | 1992-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |