US4760537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for analyzing laser beam profiles
Assignee: General Dynamics Government Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1985-11-29
•
Granted: 1988-07-26
•
Expires: 2005-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A two-dimensional image and energy profile of the output from a pulsed laser is analyzed on a pulse-by-pulse basis by a video graphics image processing system coupled to a minicomputer. An intensity distribution in psuedo color for the full beam is formed by the processor and displayed on a color monitor in real time. The minicomputer performs analytical measurements in two dimensions on the beam shape and size as well as on the pulse timing properties of the laser. The system serves as a real time diagnostic tool for laser development.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick Martin
- 👤 II John G. Willman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/42; G01J1/4257; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/0014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A system for analyzing the energy profile of a pulsed laser beam comprising: means for providing a two-dimensional image of each pulse of said laser beam; video scanning means for scanning successive lines of said image and for generating a time-varying output signal having an amplitude characteristic proportional to the intensity of light of each scanned line; means for digitizing said output signal and for storing the digital data representing at least one complete pulsed laser image; processing means for processing said digital data and determining the energy level of each pulse image corresponding to said digital signal; and means for synchronizing the image of said pulsed laser beam to said scanning means whereby said laser pulses are provided at the initiation of said video scanning means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A system for analyzing the energy profile of a pulsed laser beam comprising: means for providing a two-dimensional image of each pulse of said laser beam; video scanning means for scanning successive lines of said image and for generating a time-varying output signal having an amplitude characteristic proportional to the intensity of light of each scanned line; means for digitizing said output signal and for storing the digital data representing at least one complete pulsed laser image; processing means for processing said digital data and determining the energy level of each pulse image corresponding to said digital signal; and means for synchronizing the image of said pulsed laser beam to said scanning means whereby said laser pulses are provided at the initiation of said video scanning means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the video scanning rate of said scnning means and the pulse rate of said pulsed laser beam are such that each pulse image is processed by said computer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the image of each pulse is formed on a transmission screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said computer means controls a pseudo color gray scale converter whereby a signal comprising a plurality of colors represents the intensity of each pulse image over its scanned dimensions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said color signal represents the energy profile of each pulse image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said color signal is coupled to a monitor for viewing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said two dimensional scan provides an array of 488×380 pixels for each pulse image produced by the corresponding laser pulse.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 7 further including an analog-to-digital converter coupled to said processing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said image processing means stores the output of said analog-to-digital converter as data in a memory device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said computer means analyzes the data stored in said memory device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each laser beam provided by the corresponding pulse image is scanned and analyzed separately.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for analyzing the energy profile of a pulsed laser beam comprisng: means for providing a two-dimensional image of each pulse of said laser beam; video scanning means for scanning successive lines of said image and for generating a time-varying output signal having an amplitude characteristic proportional to the intensity of light of each scanned line; means for digitizing said output signal and for storing the digital data representing at least one complete pulsed laser image; processing means for processing said digital data and determining the energy level of each pulse image corresponding to said digital signal; and means for synchronizing said scanning means to said pulsed laser beam image.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for analyzing the energy profile of a pulsed laser beam comprisng: means for providing a two-dimensional image of each pulse of said laser beam; video scanning means for scanning successive lines of said image and for generating a time-varying output signal having an amplitude characteristic proportional to the intensity of light of each scanned line; means for digitizing said output signal and for storing the digital data representing at least one complete pulsed laser image; processing means for processing said digital data and determining the energy level of each pulse image corresponding to said digital signal; and means for synchronizing said scanning means to said pulsed laser beam image.
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) | 1991-07-26 | 1992-01-25 | 1992-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-26 | 1996-01-25 | 1996-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-26 | 2000-01-25 | 2000-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |