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US4622676A
Expired / Lapsed
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Upconversion of laser radiation frequency in an oxygen-iodine laser
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1985-01-23
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Granted: 1986-11-11
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Expires: 2005-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A gaseous mixture comprising iodine, oxygen and fluorine gases is circulated in a closed loop system 16 through a laser cavity 14. The gases in the cavity 14 are pumped by infrared laser radiation 12 from an iodine laser 10. A set of reactions occurs in the cavity 14 resulting in the production of excited, iodine monofluoride, molecules [IF**(B)] which emit laser radiation in the visible spectrum.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Benard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/036; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/094; H01S3/14; H01S3/22; H01S3/2215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for converting infrared laser, radiation to visible laser radiation comprising the steps of: injecting a mixture of iodine, oxygen and fluorine gases into a laser cavity; and passing infrared laser radiation having a wavelength of 1315 nm through the gases in said cavity to excite molecules therein and cause reactions among the molecules resulting in the production of excited IF**(B) molecules which release their excitation energy to produce visible laser radiation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for converting infrared laser, radiation to visible laser radiation comprising the steps of: injecting a mixture of iodine, oxygen and fluorine gases into a laser cavity; and passing infrared laser radiation having a wavelength of 1315 nm through the gases in said cavity to excite molecules therein and cause reactions among the molecules resulting in the production of excited IF**(B) molecules which release their excitation energy to produce visible laser radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein: the concentrations of iodine, oxygen and fluorine gas in the mixture are equal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein: the gases are contained and circulated in a closed-cycle system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein: the infrared laser radiation is produced by a chemical iodine laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for converting infrared laser radiation to visible laser radiation comprising: laser cavity means; means for injecting a mixture of iodine, oxygen and fluorine gas into said cavity means; and means for directing infrared laser radiation having a wavelength of 1315 nm through said gaseous mixture in said laser cavity resulting in the following chemical reactions: hν.sub.1315 +I⃡I* I*+O.sub.2 ⃡I+O.sub.2 * (.sup.1 Δ) I*+O.sub.2 *→I+O.sub.2 ** (.sup.1 Σ) IF+O.sub.2 **⃡IF*(.sup.3 π.sub.2)+O.sub.2 IF*(.sup.3 π.sub.2)+O.sub.2 *=IF**(B)+O.sub.2 IF**(B)→IF+hν.sub.visible where * denotes the first electronically excited energy level, and ** denotes a second or higher electronically excited energy level said chemical reactions among said gases producing an excited compound which lases in the visible spectrum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for converting infrared laser radiation to visible laser radiation comprising: laser cavity means; means for injecting a mixture of iodine, oxygen and fluorine gas into said cavity means; and means for directing infrared laser radiation having a wavelength of 1315 nm through said gaseous mixture in said laser cavity resulting in the following chemical reactions: hν.sub.1315 +I⃡I* I*+O.sub.2 ⃡I+O.sub.2 * (.sup.1 Δ) I*+O.sub.2 *→I+O.sub.2 ** (.sup.1 Σ) IF+O.sub.2 **⃡IF*(.sup.3 π.sub.2)+O.sub.2 IF*(.sup.3 π.sub.2)+O.sub.2 *=IF**(B)+O.sub.2 IF**(B)→IF+hν.sub.visible where * denotes the first electronically excited energy level, and ** denotes a second or higher electronically excited energy level said chemical reactions among said gases producing an excited compound which lases in the visible spectrum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 5, including: a closed-cycle system for containing and circulating said mixture of gases.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein: the concentrations of iodine, oxygen and fluorine as in the mixture are equal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said closed-cycle system includes: a duct having an inlet to admit gases and a constriction therein upstream of said cavity means; a compressor coupled to said duct and located upstream of said constriction; and heat exchanger means coupled to said duct just downstream of said laser cavity for cooling said gaseous mixture after it leaves the laser cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4318060A
Cited
US4488311A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-10 | 1990-05-12 | 1990-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-10 | 1994-05-12 | 1994-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-10 | 1998-05-12 | 1998-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |