US4371969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low cost laser
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
•
Filing: 1978-06-05
•
Granted: 1983-02-01
•
Expires: 1998-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A compact low-cost laser is provided by employing a solid state laser rod which is pumped by the optical radiation from the direct combustion of a metal in a flowing oxygen atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 Evan P. Chicklis
- 👤 James R. Mosto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/0915; H01S3/0937
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A laser comprising: a reasonant cavity including a solid state laser rod; means for abstracting energy from said cavity; and pumping means for pumping said laser rod, said pumping means including: a solid metal whose combustion in oxygen occurs at sufficiently high temperatures so that the ensuing optical radiation will maintain oscillations in said laser rod; a source of oxygen which will maintain combustion of said metal; means for providing a sustaining flow of said oxygen past said metal; and means for igniting said metal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A laser comprising: a reasonant cavity including a solid state laser rod; means for abstracting energy from said cavity; and pumping means for pumping said laser rod, said pumping means including: a solid metal whose combustion in oxygen occurs at sufficiently high temperatures so that the ensuing optical radiation will maintain oscillations in said laser rod; a source of oxygen which will maintain combustion of said metal; means for providing a sustaining flow of said oxygen past said metal; and means for igniting said metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The laser as defined in claim 1, said pumping means further including a rod to support said metal foil, said rod having a high melting temperature, said metal foil being disposed about said rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laser as defined in claim 2, wherein said metal foil is selected from the group consisting of: zirconium, aluminum, and thorium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The laser as defined in claim 2, wherein said rod is graphite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laser as defined in claim 1, further including an optically transparent tube and means for accommodating said laser cavity within said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laser as defined in claim 5, further including means for supplying a fluid coolant to said tube to cool said laser rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The laser as defined in claim 1, wherein said pump means further includes a tube enclosing said metal foil and means for applying said oxygen to said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laser as defined in claim 1, further including a housing having a cavity for containing said resonant cavity and said pumping means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser as defined in claim 8, wherein said housing cavity is of elliptical cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laser as defined in claim 8, wherein said housing cavity is highly reflective.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The laser as defined in claim 8, wherein said housing includes means for admitting oxygen to said pumping means and a coolant to said laser rod.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3271696A
Cited
US3309620A
Cited
US3163799A
Cited
US3646471A
Cited
US3271980A
Cited
US3399359A
Cited
US3577095A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-31 | 1986-08-02 | 1987-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-31 | 1990-08-02 | 1991-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-31 | 1994-08-02 | 1995-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |