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Frequency-controlled, unstable optical resonator

Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1980-04-28
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Granted: 1982-10-12
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Expires: 2000-04-28
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Abstract

Abstract The lasing action in an unstable optical resonator is controlled as to frequency by limiting frequency selectivity to an axis-near beam. The control is provided preferably outside the cavity by means of active or passive elements. A passive element returns a frequency-controlled beam into the cavity, an active element injects a control beam at the desired frequency.

Inventors

  • 👤 John F. Hon

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 09:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/0818

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 80 words
In an unstable optical resonator, having a concave reflector, a convex reflector facing the concave reflector on a common axis, and a scraper mirror, having an aperture and being traversed by the axis, the improvement of frequency-selective means located outside the optical cavity defined by said reflectors and serving to reflect only radiation of preselected frequency in beams directly on or very nearly on the axis and having an effective aperture significantly smaller than the aperture of the scraper mirror.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 80 words
In an unstable optical resonator, having a concave reflector, a convex reflector facing the concave reflector on a common axis, and a scraper mirror, having an aperture and being traversed by the axis, the improvement of frequency-selective means located outside the optical cavity defined by said reflectors and serving to reflect only radiation of preselected frequency in beams directly on or very nearly on the axis and having an effective aperture significantly smaller than the aperture of the scraper mirror.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein one of the reflectors is formed with an aperture defining said effective aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 12 words
The improvement of claim 2, said frequency-selective means being a frequency-selective reflector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The improvement of claim 2, said frequency-selective means being a reflector combined with a frequency-selective absorber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 54 words
The improvement of claim 2, said frequency-selective means being a relatively small frequency-selective laser, injecting a beam of selected frequency or frequencies through said aperture in the one reflector and a cavity defined by said reflectors, said unstable resonator including an active media and a pump source within the environment of said unstable resonator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 64 words
In an unstable optical resonator, which includes first and second reflectors, defining a resonator cavity having an axis, and aperture means limiting the width of a beam resonating in the cavity, a frequency-selective means located outside said cavity having an effective aperture much smaller than an aperture as defined by the aperture means, for reflecting only preselected frequencies on or nearly on the axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 64 words
In an unstable optical resonator, which includes first and second reflectors, defining a resonator cavity having an axis, and aperture means limiting the width of a beam resonating in the cavity, a frequency-selective means located outside said cavity having an effective aperture much smaller than an aperture as defined by the aperture means, for reflecting only preselected frequencies on or nearly on the axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The improvement as in claim 6, the frequency-selective means being disposed outside the cavity and including a frequency-selective reflecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 53 words
The improvement as in claim 6, the frequency-selective means being disposed outside the cavity and including laser means for injecting a very narrow beam, having the frequency or frequencies to be selected, into the cavity, said unstable resonator including an active media and a pump source within the environment of said unstable resonator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
The improvement as in claim 6, wherein the frequency-selective means is a frequency-selective absorber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
The improvement as in claim 2 or 6, the effective aperture having a width of about one Fresnel zone.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3969685A Cited
US4019157A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1985-10-11 1986-04-12 1986-10-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1989-10-11 1990-04-12 1990-10-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1993-10-11 1994-04-12 1994-10-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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