US4486885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Generation of short amplified pulses of light using an absorbing medium
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1984-04-03
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Granted: 1984-12-04
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Expires: 2004-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed in which the phase of coherent light impinging on an absorbing cell is rapidly changed to produce a short amplified pulse of light.
Inventors
- 👤 Azriel Z. Genack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/1061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for generating short light pulses including: coherent radiation absorbing means for absorbing coherent radiation comprising an absorption cell containing an absorption medium having a predetermined line width; coherent radiation directing means for directing coherent radiation having a predetermined amplitude onto said coherent radiation absorbing means; and phase shifting means for shifting the phase of said coherent radiation while said coherent radiation directing means is directing said coherent radiation onto said coherent radiation absorbing means, said phase shifting means including operating means for operating said phase shifting means to shift the phase of said coherent radiation in a period of time less than the period of time determined by said line width of said absorbing medium, thereby producing a pulse of light from said coherent radiation absorbing means, said pulse of light having an amplitude which is greater than said predetermined amplitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for generating short light pulses including: coherent radiation absorbing means for absorbing coherent radiation comprising an absorption cell containing an absorption medium having a predetermined line width; coherent radiation directing means for directing coherent radiation having a predetermined amplitude onto said coherent radiation absorbing means; and phase shifting means for shifting the phase of said coherent radiation while said coherent radiation directing means is directing said coherent radiation onto said coherent radiation absorbing means, said phase shifting means including operating means for operating said phase shifting means to shift the phase of said coherent radiation in a period of time less than the period of time determined by said line width of said absorbing medium, thereby producing a pulse of light from said coherent radiation absorbing means, said pulse of light having an amplitude which is greater than said predetermined amplitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coherent radiation directing means is a laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said laser means comprises a CO 2 laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said laser is a cw laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said absorption medium is carbon dioxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said phase shifting means is a phase modulator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said operating means comprises an electrical pulse generator for operating said phase modulator.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of generating short light pulses comprising the steps of generating a beam of coherent radiation having a predetermined amplitude, absorbing said coherent radiation in a coherent radiation absorption medium having a predetermined line width, and shifting the phase of said coherent radiation during said absorbing of said coherent radiation in said coherent radiation absorption medium in a period of time less than the period of time determined by said line width of said coherent radiation absorbing medium, so as to produce a pulse of light from said coherent radiation absorption medium, said pulse of light having an amplitude which is greater than said predetermined amplitude.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of generating short light pulses comprising the steps of generating a beam of coherent radiation having a predetermined amplitude, absorbing said coherent radiation in a coherent radiation absorption medium having a predetermined line width, and shifting the phase of said coherent radiation during said absorbing of said coherent radiation in said coherent radiation absorption medium in a period of time less than the period of time determined by said line width of said coherent radiation absorbing medium, so as to produce a pulse of light from said coherent radiation absorption medium, said pulse of light having an amplitude which is greater than said predetermined amplitude.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 comprising shifting the phase of said coherent radiation so as to produce a 180° phase shift.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 comprising shifting the phase of said coherent radiation so as to produce a 360° phase shift.
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) | 1987-12-04 | 1988-06-04 | 1988-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-04 | 1992-06-04 | 1992-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-04 | 1996-06-04 | 1996-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |