US4367552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual wavelength infrared laser
Assignee: Department of National Defence
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Filing: 1980-08-11
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Granted: 1983-01-04
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Expires: 2000-08-11
Abstract
Abstract The invention disclosed is a dual wavelength output laser for use in laser rangefinders. Two different laser active media, e.g. CO2 and DF, are operated in separate laser cavities arranged in tandem in the same optical resonant cavity, resulting in a co-linear dual wavelength laser output.
Inventors
- 👤 Thor V. Jacobson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/07; H01S3/073; H01S3/08; H01S3/08086; H01S3/0809
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A dual wavelength output laser, comprising an optical resonant cavity including a totally reflecting mirror at one end of said cavity and a partially transmitting output mirror at an opposite end of said cavity, said totally reflecting mirror and said partially transmitting mirror being spaced apart and defining an axis of reflection between them; first and second laser cavities disposed in tandem in said optical resonant cavity and aligned along said axis of reflection to reflect laser radiation between said totally reflecting mirror and said partially transmitting output mirror along said axis of reflection through said first and second laser cavities; first and second laser active media disposed in said first and second laser cavities, respectively, said first laser active media producing a laser discharge at a first wavelength, said second laser active media producing a laser discharge at a second wavelength; and timing circuit means for causing simultaneous laser discharges from said first and second active media, such that a co-linear dual wavelength laser output is provided through said partially transmitting output mirror.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A dual wavelength output laser, comprising an optical resonant cavity including a totally reflecting mirror at one end of said cavity and a partially transmitting output mirror at an opposite end of said cavity, said totally reflecting mirror and said partially transmitting mirror being spaced apart and defining an axis of reflection between them; first and second laser cavities disposed in tandem in said optical resonant cavity and aligned along said axis of reflection to reflect laser radiation between said totally reflecting mirror and said partially transmitting output mirror along said axis of reflection through said first and second laser cavities; first and second laser active media disposed in said first and second laser cavities, respectively, said first laser active media producing a laser discharge at a first wavelength, said second laser active media producing a laser discharge at a second wavelength; and timing circuit means for causing simultaneous laser discharges from said first and second active media, such that a co-linear dual wavelength laser output is provided through said partially transmitting output mirror.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A dual wavelength laser according to claim 1, wherein said first and second active media are CO 2 and DF 2 , respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A dual wavelength laser according to claim 2, wherein said first active media has an operating wavelength of about 8-13 μm and said second active media has an operating wavelength of about 3-5 μm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
A dual wavelength laser according to claim 3, wherein the first active media is CO 2 which has an operating wavelength of about 10.6 μm and a gas mixture of CO 2 :N 2 :He in a ratio of about 2:1:5 and the second active media is DF which has an operating wavelength of about 3.8 μm and a gas mixture of SF 6 :D 2 in a ratio of about 10:1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A dual wavelength laser according to claim 3, wherein the partially transmitting mirror has a reflectivity of about 90% at 9.56 μm and 50% at 3.8 μm to permit lasing at these wavelengths and to transmit said co-linear dual wavelength laser output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A dual wavelength laser according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said timing circuit means provides a variable delay between initiation of the CO 2 discharge and initiation of the DF discharge so that the CO 2 and DF active media pulse simultaneously.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4168474A
Cited
US4145668A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-03 | 1986-07-05 | 1987-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-03 | 1990-07-05 | 1991-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-03 | 1994-07-05 | 1995-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |