Patent US4612642A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4612642A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Operation of transversely excited N2 O lasers
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1984-09-17
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Granted: 1986-09-16
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Expires: 2004-09-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and apparatus for producing high power, high efficiency pulsed TEA laser energy at N 2 O wavelengths by suppressing discharge arc formation with H 2 or CO that is added to the N 2 O lasing medium. Energy loading levels up to in the range of 266 J/L atm are achieved with gas mixtures of N 2 lasing mediums and H 2 or CO additives comprising N 2 O:He:N 2 :H 2 ::0.03:0.69:0.27:0.01 and N 2 O:He:N 2 :CO::0.03:0.66:0.26:0.05 mole fraction.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne T. Whitney
- 👤 Hiroshi Hara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:07
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/036; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/0971; H01S3/09713; H01S3/14; H01S3/22; H01S3/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of suppressing discharge arcing in a pulsed transversely excited laser operating at N 2 O wavelengths, comprising: utilizing a gas lasing medium including N 2 O; utilizing a gas additive including H 2 for said lasing medium which combines with negative oxygen ions to form neutral molecules and electrons; combining said gas additive with said lasing medium to form a gas mixture including N 2 O; pressurizing said gas mixture in said laser; and energizing said gas mixture in said laser to generate lasing action.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of suppressing discharge arcing in a pulsed transversely excited laser operating at N 2 O wavelengths, comprising: utilizing a gas lasing medium including N 2 O; utilizing a gas additive including H 2 for said lasing medium which combines with negative oxygen ions to form neutral molecules and electrons; combining said gas additive with said lasing medium to form a gas mixture including N 2 O; pressurizing said gas mixture in said laser; and energizing said gas mixture in said laser to generate lasing action.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of suppressing discharge arcing according to claim 1, wherein the step of utilizing a gas lasing medium includes utilizing a gas lasing medium including N 2 O, He and N 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of suppressing discharge arcing according to claim 2, wherein the step of combining said gas additive includes combining said gas additive to form said gas mixture including N 2 O, He, N 2 and H 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of suppressing discharge arcing according to claim 3, wherein the step of combining said gas additive includes combining said gas additive to form said gas mixture including approximately 0.5 to 2 percent H 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of suppressing discharge arcing according to claim 4, wherein the step of combining said gas additive includes combining said gas additive to form said gas mixture including N 2 O, He, N 2 and H 2 in the proportion N 2 O:He:N 2 :H 2 ::0.03:0.69:0.27:0.01 mole fraction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of suppressing discharge arcing according to claim 5, wherein the step of pressurizing said gas mixture includes pressurizing said gas mixture to a pressure in the range of 100 to 300 torr.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of suppressing discharge arcing according to claim 6, wherein the step of energizing said gas mixture includes energizing said gas mixture up to an energy loading level in the range of 266 J/L atm.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of suppressing discharge arcing in a pulsed transversely excited laser operating at N 2 O wavelengths comprising: utilizing a gas additive comprising H 2 ; combining said gas additive with said lasing medium to form a gas mixture including N 2 O, He, N 2 and H 2 in the proportion N 2 O:He:N 2 ::0.03:0.69:0.01 mole fraction; pressurizing said gas mixture in said laser; and energizing said laser to generate lasing action at an energy loading level up to in the range of 266 J/L atm.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of suppressing discharge arcing in a pulsed transversely excited laser operating at N 2 O wavelengths comprising: utilizing a gas additive comprising H 2 ; combining said gas additive with said lasing medium to form a gas mixture including N 2 O, He, N 2 and H 2 in the proportion N 2 O:He:N 2 ::0.03:0.69:0.01 mole fraction; pressurizing said gas mixture in said laser; and energizing said laser to generate lasing action at an energy loading level up to in the range of 266 J/L atm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a pulsed TE laser operating at N 2 O wavelengths, a discharge arc suppression system comprising: a gas lasing medium including N 2 O; a gas additive for said lasing medium comprising H 2 which combines with negative oxygen ions to form neutral molecules and electrons; pressurization means for containing said lasing medium with said gas additive to form a gas mixture including N 2 O, He, N 2 and H 2 under pressure; and energizing means for energizing said gas mixture to produce lasing action.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a pulsed TE laser operating at N 2 O wavelengths, a discharge arc suppression system comprising: a gas lasing medium including N 2 O; a gas additive for said lasing medium comprising H 2 which combines with negative oxygen ions to form neutral molecules and electrons; pressurization means for containing said lasing medium with said gas additive to form a gas mixture including N 2 O, He, N 2 and H 2 under pressure; and energizing means for energizing said gas mixture to produce lasing action.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The discharge arc suppression system according to claim 9, wherein said gas mixture includes N 2 O, He, N 2 and H 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The discharge arc suppression system according to claim 10, wherein said gas mixture includes approximately 0.5 to 2 percent H 2 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The discharge arc suppression system according to claim 11, wherein said gas mixture includes N 2 O, He, N 2 and H 2 in the proportion N 2 O:He:N 2 :H 2 ::0.03:0.69:0.27:0.01 mole fraction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The discharge arc suppression system according to claim 12, wherein said pressurization means further includes means for maintaining a pressure in the range of 100 to 300 torr.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a pulsed TE laser operating at N 2 O wavelengths, a discharge arc suppression system comprising: a gas lasing medium including N 2 O; a gas additive for said lasing medium comprising CO which combines with negative oxygen ions to form neutral molecules and electrons; pressurization means for containing said lasing medium with said gas additive to form a gas mixture including N 2 O, He, N 2 and approximately 4 to 10 percent CO under pressure; and energizing means for energizing said gas mixture to produce lasing action.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a pulsed TE laser operating at N 2 O wavelengths, a discharge arc suppression system comprising: a gas lasing medium including N 2 O; a gas additive for said lasing medium comprising CO which combines with negative oxygen ions to form neutral molecules and electrons; pressurization means for containing said lasing medium with said gas additive to form a gas mixture including N 2 O, He, N 2 and approximately 4 to 10 percent CO under pressure; and energizing means for energizing said gas mixture to produce lasing action.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The discharge arc suppression system according to claim 14, wherein said gas mixture includes N 2 O, He, N 2 and CO in the proportion N 2 O:He:N 2 :CO::0.03:0.66:0.26:0.05 mole fraction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The discharge arc suppression system according to claim 15, wherein said pressurization means further includes means for maintaining a pressure in the range of 100 to 300 torr.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The discharge arc suppression system according to claim 16, wherein said energizing means further includes means for providing an energy loading level up to in the range of 266 J/L·atm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a pulsed TE laser operating at N 2 O wavelengths, a discharge arc suppression system comprising: a gas lasing medium including N 2 O, He and N 2 ; a gas additive for said lasing medium comprising H 2 ; a pressurization means for containing said lasing medium with said gas additive at a pressure in the range of 100 to 300 torr to form a gas mixture comprising N 2 O, He, N 2 and H 2 in the proportion N 2 O:He:N 2 :H 2 ::0.03:0.69:0.27:0.01 mole fraction; and energizing means for energizing said gas mixture at an energy loading level up to in the range of 266 J/L·atm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a pulsed TE laser operating at N 2 O wavelengths, a discharge arc suppression system comprising: a gas lasing medium including N 2 O, He and N 2 ; a gas additive for said lasing medium comprising H 2 ; a pressurization means for containing said lasing medium with said gas additive at a pressure in the range of 100 to 300 torr to form a gas mixture comprising N 2 O, He, N 2 and H 2 in the proportion N 2 O:He:N 2 :H 2 ::0.03:0.69:0.27:0.01 mole fraction; and energizing means for energizing said gas mixture at an energy loading level up to in the range of 266 J/L·atm.
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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) | 1989-09-15 | 1990-03-17 | 1990-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-15 | 1994-03-17 | 1994-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-15 | 1998-03-17 | 1998-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |