Patent US4399540A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4399540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunable laser oscillator
Assignee: Lambda Physik AG
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Filing: 1980-09-22
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Granted: 1983-08-16
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Expires: 2000-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A tunable laser oscillator with a broadband emitting and thereby wavelength tunable laser medium. An optical resonator is provided for setting the wavelength of the laser radiation. Following the resonator is a device for spectral filtering and for producing a spectrally purer emitted laser radiation. An aperture is mounted in the path of the radiation following that device. The mechanism used for setting the wavelength of the laser radiation also forms the device for spectral filtering and for producing the spectrally purer emitted laser radiation. An optical arrangement is provided for feeding back the radiation leaving the resonator onto the joint mechanism and device.
Inventors
- 👤 Hermann Bucher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/0811; H01S3/0812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A tunable laser oscillator with a broadband emitting and wavelength tunable laser medium, comprising: an optical resonator with means for setting the wavelength of the laser radiation; means in said resonator for spectral filtering and for producing a spectrally purer emitted laser radiation; aperture means mounted in the path of the radiation from said means for spectral filtering for stopping stray light and passing only spectrally filtered radiation; said means for setting the wavelength of the laser radiation also forming said means for spectral filtering and for producing the spectrally purer emitted laser radiation; and optical means for feeding back the radiation leaving the resonator on to said means for spectral filtering, said means for setting the wavelength of the laser radiation comprising a single device with said means for spectral filtering so that synchronization of said means for setting the wavelength in accordance with said means for spectral filtering is avoided.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A tunable laser oscillator with a broadband emitting and wavelength tunable laser medium, comprising: an optical resonator with means for setting the wavelength of the laser radiation; means in said resonator for spectral filtering and for producing a spectrally purer emitted laser radiation; aperture means mounted in the path of the radiation from said means for spectral filtering for stopping stray light and passing only spectrally filtered radiation; said means for setting the wavelength of the laser radiation also forming said means for spectral filtering and for producing the spectrally purer emitted laser radiation; and optical means for feeding back the radiation leaving the resonator on to said means for spectral filtering, said means for setting the wavelength of the laser radiation comprising a single device with said means for spectral filtering so that synchronization of said means for setting the wavelength in accordance with said means for spectral filtering is avoided.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tunable laser oscillator according to claim 1, wherein said means for spectral filtering comprises a rotating optical diffraction grating which is simultaneously part of said resonator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tunable laser oscillator according to claim 1, wherein said means for spectral filtering comprises a set of prisms for spectral dispersion followed by a rotating mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tunable laser oscillator according to claim 2 wherein said optical means has means for directing the radiation substantially parallel to the resonator axis at said means for spectral filtering.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A tunable laser oscillator according to claim 2, wherein said optical means comprises a set of prisms mounted within said resonator between the laser medium and said means for spectral filtering; said set of prisms having an entrance plane and an exit plane which are relative to each other so that the beam reflected on the entrance plane is substantially parallel to the beam passing through said set of prisms and said exit plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tunable laser oscillator according to claim 4, wherein deviation from parallelism is directed forward of the axis of the resonator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tunable laser oscillator according to claim 6, wherein emitted spectrally purer laser beam passes through the laser medium a second time and is thereby amplified.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tunable laser oscillator according to claim 4 wherein said optical means comprises a set of mirrors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tunable laser oscillator according to claim 4 wherein said optical means comprises a set of prisms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tunable laser oscillator as defined in claim 3, wherein said optical means comprises a set of prisms mounted within said resonator between the laser medium and said means for spectral filtering; said set of prisms having an entrance plane and an exit plane which are relative to each other so that the beam reflected on the entrance plane is substantially parallel to the beam passing through said set of prisms and said exit plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
A tunable laser oscillator according to claim 1, wherein said means for spectral filtering comprises a rotating optical diffraction grating which is simultaneously part of said resonator, said optical means having means for directing the radiation substantially parallel to the resonator axis at said means for spectral filtering, deviation from parallelism being directed forward of the axis of the resonator, emitted spectrally pure laser beam passing through the laser medium a second time and being thereby amplified, said optical means comprising a set of mirrors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-15 | 1987-02-14 | 1987-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-15 | 1991-02-14 | 1991-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-15 | 1995-02-14 | 1995-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |