US4761059A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
External beam combining of multiple lasers
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1986-07-28
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Granted: 1988-08-02
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Expires: 2006-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A coupled laser system includes a plurality of substantially parallel beams of coherent radiation with an output beam of coherent radiation at an oblique angle with respect to the plurality of beams. A photorefractive element is positioned to receive the plurality of beams and the output beams, the beams being frequency locked to within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the plurality of beams to the output beam by means of two-wave mixing. A lens may be used for focussing the parallel beams in the photorefractive element, while a plurality of mirrors may be supplied for adjusting the orientation of the output beam within the photorefractive element. Another coupled laser system includes a plurality of lasers, each laser providing a beam of coherent radiation, an optical resonant cavity, and a photorefractive element positioned within the resonant cavity, the beam being frequency locked to within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the coherent beams to a coupling beam in the resonant cavity by means of two-wave mixing. The resonant cavity is defined by a unidirectional ring resonator, with a partially reflecting mirror, a first substantially 100% reflecting mirror, and a second substantially 100% reflecting mirror.
Inventors
- 👤 Pochi A. Yeh
- 👤 Mark D. Ewbank
- 👤 Mohsen Khoshnevisan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:15
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/353; G02F1/3534; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/23; H01S3/2383
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A coupled laser system, comprising: a plurality of substantially parallel beams of coherent radiation; an output beam of coherent radiation at an oblique angle with respect to the plurality of beams; and a photorefractive element positioned to receive the plurality of beams and the output beam, the beams being frequency locked to within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the plurality of beams to the output beam by means of two-wave mixing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A coupled laser system, comprising: a plurality of substantially parallel beams of coherent radiation; an output beam of coherent radiation at an oblique angle with respect to the plurality of beams; and a photorefractive element positioned to receive the plurality of beams and the output beam, the beams being frequency locked to within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the plurality of beams to the output beam by means of two-wave mixing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The laser system of claim 1, wherein the photorefractive element is a photorefractive crystal selected from the group consisting of AgGaS 2 , AgGaSe 2 , β-BaB 2 O 4 , BaTiO 3 , Bi 12 SiO 20 , GaAs, KTaO 3 , LiNbO 3 , and Sr x Ba 1-x Nb 2 O 6 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser system of claim 1, wherein the photorefractive element further comprises an artificial photorefractive element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The laser system of claim 3, wherein the artificial photorefractive element further comprises a nonlinear medium which is in motion relative to the plurality of beams and the output beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The laser system of claim 3, wherein the artificial photorefractive element further comprises a nonlinear medium and the plurality of beams differs in frequency from the output beam by an amount sufficient to cause two wave mixing within the nonlinear medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laser system of claim 1, further comprising a lens for focussing the parallel beams in the photorefractive element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laser system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of mirrors for adjusting the orientation of the output beam within the photorefractive element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A coupled laser system, comprising: a plurality of lasers, each laser providing a beam of coherent radiation; an optical resonant cavity; a coupling beam in the resonant cavity; and a photorefractive element positioned within the resonant cavity, the beams being frequency locked to within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the coherent beams to the coupling beam by means of two-wave mixing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
A coupled laser system, comprising: a plurality of lasers, each laser providing a beam of coherent radiation; an optical resonant cavity; a coupling beam in the resonant cavity; and a photorefractive element positioned within the resonant cavity, the beams being frequency locked to within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the coherent beams to the coupling beam by means of two-wave mixing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The laser system of claim 8, wherein the photorefractive element is a photorefractive crystal selected from the group consisting of AgGaS 2 , AgGaSe 2 , β-BaB 2 O 4 , BaTiO 3 , Bi 12 SiO 20 , GaAs, KTaO 3 , LiNbO 3 , and Sr x Ba 1-x Nb 2 O 6 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser system of claim 8, wherein the photorefractive element further comprises an artificial photorefractive element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The laser system of claim 10, wherein the artificial photorefractive element further comprises a nonlinear medium which is in motion relative to the plurality of beams and the output beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The laser system of claim 10, wherein the artificial photorefractive element further comprises a nonlinear medium and the plurality of beams differs in frequency from the output beam by an amount sufficient to cause two wave mixing within the nonlinear medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
The laser system of claim 8, wherein the resonant cavity further comprises: a substantially 100% reflecting mirror; and a partially reflecting mirror, the mirrors being positioned such that the 100% reflecting mirror reflects the coupling beam toward the partially reflecting mirror and the partially reflecting mirror reflects a portion of the coupling beam toward the 100% reflecting mirror and transmits a portion of the coupling beam as an output beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
99 words
The laser system of claim 8, wherein the resonant cavity further comprises a unidirectional ring resonator, including: a partially reflecting mirror; a first substantially 100% reflecting mirror; and a second substantially 100% reflecting mirror; the mirrors being positioned such that the partially reflecting mirror reflects a portion of the coupling beam toward the first 100% reflecting mirror and transmits a portion of the coupling beam as an output beam, the first 100% reflecting mirror reflects the coupling beam toward the second 100% reflecting mirror, and the second 100% reflecting mirror reflects the coupling beam toward the partially reflecting mirror.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of coupling a plurality of beams of coherent radiation, comprising the steps of: arranging the beams to be substantially parallel; directing the parallel beams into a photorefractive element; directing an output beam of coherent radiation into the photorefractive element; and frequency locking each parallel beam to the output beam within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the plurality of beams to the output beam by means of two-wave mixing in the element.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of coupling a plurality of beams of coherent radiation, comprising the steps of: arranging the beams to be substantially parallel; directing the parallel beams into a photorefractive element; directing an output beam of coherent radiation into the photorefractive element; and frequency locking each parallel beam to the output beam within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the plurality of beams to the output beam by means of two-wave mixing in the element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the photorefractive element is a photorefractive crystal selected from the group consisting of AgGaS 2 , AgGaSe 2 , β-BaB 2 O 4 , BaTiO 3 , Bi 12 SiO 20 , GaAs, KTaO 3 , LiNbO 3 , and Sr x Ba 1-x Nb 2 O 6 .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the photorefractive element further comprises an artificial photorefractive element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the artificial photorefractive element further comprises a nonlinear medium which is in motion relative to the plurality of beams and the output beam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the artificial photorefractive element further comprises a nonlinear medium and the plurality of beams differs in frequency from the output beam by an amount sufficient to cause two wave mixing within the nonlinear medium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising a lens for focussing the parallel beams in the photorefractive element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of mirrors for adjusting the orientation of the output beam within the photorefractive element.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of coupling a plurality of beams of coherent radiation, comprising the steps of: providing an optical resonant cavity positioning a photorefractive element within the resonant cavity; providing a coupling beam in the resonant cavity; frequency locking the beams to within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element; and directing the coherent beams into the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the coherent beam to the coupling beam by means of two-wave mixing.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of coupling a plurality of beams of coherent radiation, comprising the steps of: providing an optical resonant cavity positioning a photorefractive element within the resonant cavity; providing a coupling beam in the resonant cavity; frequency locking the beams to within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element; and directing the coherent beams into the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the coherent beam to the coupling beam by means of two-wave mixing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the photorefractive element is a photorefractive crystal selected from the group consisting of AgGaS 2 , AgGaSe 2 , β-BaB 2 O 4 , BaTiO 3 , Bi 12 SiO 20 , GaAs, KTaO 3 , LiNbO 3 , and Sr x Ba 1-x Nb 2 O 6 .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the photorefractive element further comprises an artificial photorefractive element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the artificial photorefractive element further comprises a nonlinear medium which is in motion relative to the plurality of beams and the output beam.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the artificial photorefractive element further comprises a nonlinear medium and the plurality of beams differs in frequency from the output beam by an amount sufficient to cause two wave mixing within the nonlinear medium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the resonant cavity further comprises: a substantially 100% reflecting mirror; and a partially reflecting mirror, the mirrors being positioned such that the 100% reflecting mirror reflects the coupling beam toward the partially reflecting mirror and the partially reflecting mirror reflects a portion of the coupling beam toward the 100% reflecting mirror and transmits a portion of the coupling beam as an output beam.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
98 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the resonant cavity further comprises a unidirectional ring resonator, including: a partially reflecting mirror; a first substantially 100% reflecting mirror; and a second substantially 100% reflecting mirror; the mirrors being positioned such that the partially reflecting mirror reflects a portion of the coupling beam toward the first 100% reflecting mirror and transmits a portion of the coupling beam as an output beam, the first 100% reflecting mirror reflects the coupling beam toward the second 100% reflecting mirror, and the second 100% reflecting mirror reflects the coupling beam toward the partially reflecting mirror.
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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) | 1991-08-02 | 1992-02-01 | 1992-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-02 | 1996-02-01 | 1996-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-02 | 2000-02-01 | 2000-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |