US4249143A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Xenon fluoride and mercury chloride photodissociation lasers
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1979-04-25
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Granted: 1981-02-03
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Expires: 1999-04-25
Abstract
Abstract An optically pumped laser which is operative by photolysis of a rare gas (RG)-halogne atom (X) compound (RGX 2 ) which creates lasing from the RGX* molecule the RGX* molecule being diatomic. This type of laser is gaseous but a solid fuel is used to supply the gas; therefore the system is self contained.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Gary Eden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/095; H01S3/09505; H01S3/14; H01S3/22; H01S3/223; H01S3/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for producing monochromatic coherent radiation which comprises: a first cylindrical elongated means containing a mixture of a RGX 2 gas and a buffer gas, wherein RG is a rare gas or metal ion and X is a halogen ion, and the RGX 2 gas is capable of photolysis to form an optically active RGX gas having an inverted population state; a second cylindrical elongated means surrounding said first cylindrical means in coaxial relationship therewith and containing a fluorescer gas having an emission frequency sufficient to effect photolysis of the RGX 2 gas and form an optically active RGX gas having an inverted population state; electron-producing means for exciting said fluorescer gas, said first cylindrical means including end windows at Brewster's angle; and a fully reflective mirror and a partially reflective mirror in optical alignment with said first cylindrical means forming a resonant laser cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for producing monochromatic coherent radiation which comprises: a first cylindrical elongated means containing a mixture of a RGX 2 gas and a buffer gas, wherein RG is a rare gas or metal ion and X is a halogen ion, and the RGX 2 gas is capable of photolysis to form an optically active RGX gas having an inverted population state; a second cylindrical elongated means surrounding said first cylindrical means in coaxial relationship therewith and containing a fluorescer gas having an emission frequency sufficient to effect photolysis of the RGX 2 gas and form an optically active RGX gas having an inverted population state; electron-producing means for exciting said fluorescer gas, said first cylindrical means including end windows at Brewster's angle; and a fully reflective mirror and a partially reflective mirror in optical alignment with said first cylindrical means forming a resonant laser cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said RGX 2 gas is a material selected from the group consisting of: XeF 2 , KrF 2 , XeCl 2 , HgCl 2 , HgBr 2 , HgI 2 , SnBr 2 , PbBr 2 , SnCl 2 , SnI 2 , PbI 2 , and PbCl 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said buffer gas is He or Ar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said fluorescer gas is Xenon, argon, or krypton.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein: said fluorescer gas is Xenon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein: said RGX 2 gas is XeF 2 at a pressure of from 0.3 Torr to about 3.0 Torr; and said buffer gas is He at a pressure of from 500 to 1000 Torr.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein: said Xenon fluorescer gas is at a pressure greater than 2500 Torr.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein: said XeF 2 gas is at a pressure of 2.0 Torr; said buffer gas of He is at a pressure of 700 Torr, and said fluorescer gas is Xenon at a pressure greater than 2500 Torr.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said electron-producing means produces an elongated e-beam travelling normally to the axis of said first and second cylindrical, elongated means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said electron producing means is cylindrical and in coaxial relationship with said first and second cylindrical, elongated means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said RGX 2 gas is XeF 2 , and said buffer gas is argon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said RGX 2 gas is HgCl 2 , and said buffer gas is He.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said RGX 2 gas is HgCl 2 , and said buffer gas is argon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said RGX 2 gas is XeCl 2 , and said buffer gas is He.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said RGX 2 gas is XeCl 2 , and said buffer gas is argon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
144 words
A laser device comprising: a container containing RGX 2 molecules capable of photolysis to form optically active RGX molecules having given energy levels and an inverted population state between certain ones of the given energy levels, where RG is a rare gas or metal ion and X is a halide ion; regeneration means exhibiting high reflectance at given wavelengths optically coupled to end portions of the container for forming an optical resonant cavity; and pump means coupled to the container for effecting photolysis of the RGX 2 molecules to form optically active RGX molecules having given energy levels and an inverted population state between certain ones of the given energy levels, whereby light is coherently emitted from the container at a frequency corresponding to the energy difference between the certain ones of the given energy levels and at wavelengths corresponding to the given wavelengths.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
144 words
A laser device comprising: a container containing RGX 2 molecules capable of photolysis to form optically active RGX molecules having given energy levels and an inverted population state between certain ones of the given energy levels, where RG is a rare gas or metal ion and X is a halide ion; regeneration means exhibiting high reflectance at given wavelengths optically coupled to end portions of the container for forming an optical resonant cavity; and pump means coupled to the container for effecting photolysis of the RGX 2 molecules to form optically active RGX molecules having given energy levels and an inverted population state between certain ones of the given energy levels, whereby light is coherently emitted from the container at a frequency corresponding to the energy difference between the certain ones of the given energy levels and at wavelengths corresponding to the given wavelengths.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The laser device recited in claim 16 wherein: the RGX 2 gas is a material selected from the group consisting of XeF 2 , KrF 2 , XeCl 2 , HgCl 2 , HgBr 2 , HgI 2 , SnBr 2 , PbBr 2 , SnCl 2 , SnI 2 , PbI 2 , and PbCl 2 .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The laser device recited in claim 16 wherein: the container also contains a buffer gas, the frequency of the coherently emitted light being varied by variation of the pressure of the buffer gas.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laser device recited in claim 18 wherein: the buffer gas is He or Ar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4087763A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-03 | 1984-08-04 | 1985-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-03 | 1988-08-04 | 1989-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-03 | 1992-08-04 | 1993-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |