US4860295A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cladding for transverse-pumped solid-state laser
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1988-12-12
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Granted: 1989-08-22
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Expires: 2008-12-12
Abstract
Abstract In a transverse-pumped, solid-state laser, a nonabsorptive cladding surrounds a gain medium. A single transverse mode, namely the TEM 00 mode, is provided. The TEM 00 mode has a cross-sectional diameter greater than a transverse dimension of the gain medium but less than a transverse dimension of the cladding. The required size of the gain medium is minimized while a threshold for laser output is lowered.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Byer
- 👤 Tso Y. Fan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/0602; H01S3/0612; H01S3/0617; H01S3/0619; H01S3/0625; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/094; H01S3/094084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
In an improved method for pumping a laser oscillator, the improvement comprising: producing a TEM 00 mode diameter that is at least approximately equal to a transverse dimension of a gain medium of said laser oscillator; and substantially equalizing a first index of refraction of said gain medium with a second index of refraction of a cladding surrounding said gain medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
In an improved method for pumping a laser oscillator, the improvement comprising: producing a TEM 00 mode diameter that is at least approximately equal to a transverse dimension of a gain medium of said laser oscillator; and substantially equalizing a first index of refraction of said gain medium with a second index of refraction of a cladding surrounding said gain medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said TEM 00 mode diameter is greater than said transverse dimension of said gain medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said cladding is constructed to substantially eliminate energy absorption and gain that might result otherwise from an impinging energy source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein there is only a single transverse electromagnetic mode of operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
In an improved method for transverse pumping a laser having a gain medium surrounded by a cladding whose index of refraction is substantially the same as that of said gain medium, the improvement comprising: providing only one transverse operating mode which is a TEM 00 mode, said TEM 00 mode having a cross-sectional diameter that is greater than a transverse dimension of said gain medium and less than a transverse dimension of said cladding; and constructing said cladding to substantially eliminate energy absorption and gain that might otherwise result from impinging light rays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
In an improved method for transverse pumping a laser having a gain medium surrounded by a cladding whose index of refraction is substantially the same as that of said gain medium, the improvement comprising: providing only one transverse operating mode which is a TEM 00 mode, said TEM 00 mode having a cross-sectional diameter that is greater than a transverse dimension of said gain medium and less than a transverse dimension of said cladding; and constructing said cladding to substantially eliminate energy absorption and gain that might otherwise result from impinging light rays.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement of claim 5 further including the step of positioning a reflecting means adjacent said laser for reflecting light from said light source back into said laser after said light has passed through said laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 5 further including the step of making said transverse dimension of said gain medium approximately equal to at least one absorption length at a wavelength of said light source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement of claim 5 further including the step of making said transverse dimension of said cladding of a length such that a laser mode intensity is substantially zero at an external surface of said cladding.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
A resonator assembly, comprising: energy source means for pumping energy; and energy receiving means for receiving energy pumped from said energy source means in a transverse direction, said energy receiving means including absorbing means for absorbing and amplifying said energy, and also having only a single transverse mode of operation which is defined by a diameter at least equal in length to a transverse dimension of said absorbing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
A resonator assembly, comprising: energy source means for pumping energy; and energy receiving means for receiving energy pumped from said energy source means in a transverse direction, said energy receiving means including absorbing means for absorbing and amplifying said energy, and also having only a single transverse mode of operation which is defined by a diameter at least equal in length to a transverse dimension of said absorbing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The resonator assembly according to claim 9 wherein said energy receiving means further includes nonabsorbing means surrounding said absorbing means and which allows said energy to pass to said absorbing means without absorption.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The resonator assembly according to claim 9 wherein said absorbing means and said nonabsorbing means each have substantially the same index of refraction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The resonator assembly according to claim 11 wherein said transverse mode is a TEM 00 mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The resonator assembly according to claim 12 wherein said diameter is greater than said transverse dimension.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The resonator assembly according to claim 13 wherein said dimension is less than a transverse dimension of said nonabsorbing means.
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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) | 1992-08-21 | 1993-02-20 | 1993-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-21 | 1997-02-20 | 1997-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-21 | 2001-02-20 | 2001-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |