US4886776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making mirrored surfaces comprising superconducting material
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
•
Filing: 1987-05-29
•
Granted: 1989-12-12
•
Expires: 2007-05-29
Abstract
Abstract Superconducting mirror surfaces are provided by forming a mirror surface from a material which is superconductive at a temperature above about 40° K. and adjusting the temperature of the surface to that temperature at which the material is superconducting. The mirror surfaces are essentially perfect reflectors for electromagnetic radiation with photon energy less than the superconducting band gap.
Inventors
- 👤 James T. Early
- 👤 R. Steven Hargrove
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/775; Y10S505/776
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for essentially perfect reflecting electromagnetic radiation of wavelength in the range of about 50 microns to 400 nm comprising the steps of adjusting the temperature of a mirror surface, said surface consisting of a film of a multiple phase metal-metal oxide having superconducting properties at a temperature above about 40° K, to said temperature at which said oxide is superconducting, said surface characterized by an energy band gap greater than the photon energy of the reflected radiation at said adjusted temperature; and directing said electromagnetic radiation to said surface to reflect said radiation from said surface..
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for essentially perfect reflecting electromagnetic radiation of wavelength in the range of about 50 microns to 400 nm comprising the steps of adjusting the temperature of a mirror surface, said surface consisting of a film of a multiple phase metal-metal oxide having superconducting properties at a temperature above about 40° K, to said temperature at which said oxide is superconducting, said surface characterized by an energy band gap greater than the photon energy of the reflected radiation at said adjusted temperature; and directing said electromagnetic radiation to said surface to reflect said radiation from said surface..
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said surface is characterized by a superconducting band gap greater than the photon energy of the reflected radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said multiple phase metal-metal oxide comprises a metal from Group IIIB, a metal from Group IIA, and a transition metal oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said transition metal oxide comprises CuO.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3619235A
Cited
US4022947A
Cited
US4160929A
Cited
US4337997A
Cited
US4643518A
Cited
US4764003A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-11 | 1993-06-12 | 1993-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-11 | 1997-06-12 | 1997-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-11 | 2001-06-12 | 2001-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |