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US4584689A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for modifying the liquefication or solidification point of a gas

Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1980-03-17
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Granted: 1986-04-22
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Expires: 2000-03-17
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Abstract

Abstract An electric discharge gas laser utilizing a seedant material which is cooled prior to the main laser discharge. The seedant is ionized prior to the cooling process and prior to the main discharge, this pre-ionization maintaining the seedant material in a gaseous state even in view of the lowered temperature for a sufficient time so as to give the required ionization levels.

Inventors

  • 👤 William F. List
  • 👤 Ronald W. Minarik

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 05:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/14; H01S3/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S372/00; Y10S372/701

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 92 words
In a gas laser system, the improvement comprising: (A) a gas laser discharge cavity zone operable at a predetermined temperature; (B) means for introducing a plurality of gases into said zone, at least one of said gases being an active laser gas; (C) said plurality of gases including a low ionization seedant gas which would normally assume a liquid or solid state when subjected to the temperature of said zone; and (D) means for selectively ionizing said seedant gas to the exclusion of other gases prior to its introduction into said zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 92 words
In a gas laser system, the improvement comprising: (A) a gas laser discharge cavity zone operable at a predetermined temperature; (B) means for introducing a plurality of gases into said zone, at least one of said gases being an active laser gas; (C) said plurality of gases including a low ionization seedant gas which would normally assume a liquid or solid state when subjected to the temperature of said zone; and (D) means for selectively ionizing said seedant gas to the exclusion of other gases prior to its introduction into said zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 44 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: (A) said seedant gas is provided to said zone through a plurality of apertured tubes; and wherein (B) said means for ionizing includes electrodes positioned at the ends of said tubes and in communication with said seedant gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 120 words
In a gas laser system, the improvement comprising: (A) a gas laser discharge cavity zone operable at a predetermined temperature; (B) means for introducing a plurality of gases into said zone, at least one of said gases being an active laser gas; (C) said plurality of gases including a low ionization seedant gas which would normally assume a liquid or solid state when subjected to the temperature of said zone; (D) means for ionizing said seedant gas prior to entering said zone; (E) a source of solid seedant material; (F) means for heating said material to a temperature higher than that of said zone and of a value to vaporize said material; (G) said vaporized material constituting said seedant gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 120 words
In a gas laser system, the improvement comprising: (A) a gas laser discharge cavity zone operable at a predetermined temperature; (B) means for introducing a plurality of gases into said zone, at least one of said gases being an active laser gas; (C) said plurality of gases including a low ionization seedant gas which would normally assume a liquid or solid state when subjected to the temperature of said zone; (D) means for ionizing said seedant gas prior to entering said zone; (E) a source of solid seedant material; (F) means for heating said material to a temperature higher than that of said zone and of a value to vaporize said material; (G) said vaporized material constituting said seedant gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 which includes: (A) means for cooling said seedant gas to a temperature comparable to that of said zone prior to introduction into said zone

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1989-04-21 1989-10-21 1990-04-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-04-21 1993-10-21 1994-04-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-04-21 1997-10-21 1998-04-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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