US4782494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of providing continuous lasing operation
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1986-05-30
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Granted: 1988-11-01
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Expires: 2006-05-30
Abstract
Abstract The method of producing at least quasi-continuous lasing operation between initial and terminal lasing states comprising the steps of selecting a laser medium and cavity configuration (lasing frequency) with the laser medium containing upconverting material which provides for the exchange of energy between sufficient number of electrons at the terminal lasing state (manifold) so as to maintain population inversion between the initial and terminal lasing states during the lasing operation; and applying excitation energy of a suitable amount to the laser medium during at least a quasi-continuous time period.
Inventors
- 👤 Slava A. Pollack
- 👤 David B. Chang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/0915; H01S3/092; H01S3/093; H01S3/14; H01S3/16; H01S3/1601; H01S3/1603; H01S3/1608; H01S3/163; H01S3/1645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
The method of producing continuous lasing operation between initial lasing states of 4 I 11/2 and terminal lasing states of 4 I 13/2 in a laser medium within a resonator comprising the steps of: selecting a laser medium containing an upconverting material in a concentration sufficient to recycle electrons away from the terminal lasing states which provides for exchange of energy between sufficient number of electrons at the terminal lasing state so as to maintain population inversion between the initial and terminal lasing states durng lasing operation; and applying CW excitaton input energy to the laser medium during a time period of about 20 msec or greater to recycle electrons away from the lower lasing states through upconverting so that population inversion is maintained during a continuous time period and laser emission occurs in the range of 2.7 to 2.8 μm.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
The method of producing continuous lasing operation between initial lasing states of 4 I 11/2 and terminal lasing states of 4 I 13/2 in a laser medium within a resonator comprising the steps of: selecting a laser medium containing an upconverting material in a concentration sufficient to recycle electrons away from the terminal lasing states which provides for exchange of energy between sufficient number of electrons at the terminal lasing state so as to maintain population inversion between the initial and terminal lasing states durng lasing operation; and applying CW excitaton input energy to the laser medium during a time period of about 20 msec or greater to recycle electrons away from the lower lasing states through upconverting so that population inversion is maintained during a continuous time period and laser emission occurs in the range of 2.7 to 2.8 μm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said upconverting material is such a material that some of the exchanging electrons are upconverted to energy states at or above a meta-stable initial lasing state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the material is a rare earth material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said laser medium comprises calcium fluoride crystal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said upconverting material comprises erbium ions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said laser medium comprises a calcium fluoride crystal hosting erbium ions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said calcium fluoride crystal contains about 5 to 10 male percent of erbium ions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the material is a rare earth material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said laser medium comprises a calcium fluoride crystal hosting erbium ions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4589118A
Cited
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-01 | 1992-05-02 | 1992-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-01 | 1996-05-02 | 1996-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-01 | 2000-05-02 | 2000-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |