Patent US4918699A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4918699A
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System for combining laser beam by transfer of energy therebetween in atomic vapor
Assignee: University of Rochester
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Filing: 1989-05-30
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Granted: 1990-04-17
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Expires: 2009-05-30
Abstract
Abstract Coherent transfer of laser energy between laser fields with high efficiency (85-95%) is obtained by energy coupling of nearly copropagating (intersecting) laser beams in mono-atomic vapor and provides an output beam of high power when nearly equal energy pulses are tuned near resonance with the transition of the atom of the vapor (e.g., potassium vapor at 230°-260° C.). The frequencies of the beams differ by approximately the inverse of the excited state lifetime of the atoms for optimum combining (coupling efficiency).
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Boyd
- 👤 Alexander L. Gaeta
- 👤 Mark T. Gruneisen
- 👤 Kenneth R. MacDonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:42
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/30; H01S3/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for combining laser beams in an atomic medium having at least two energy states one of which is a populated state which comprises the steps of interacting a plurality of laser beams in said medium which beams are tuned approximately to a frequency corresponding to the energy difference between said states and which differ in frequency by the inverse of the lifetime of the excited state, and delivery of one of said beam from said medium which has an energy greater than the energy of either of said beams.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for combining laser beams in an atomic medium having at least two energy states one of which is a populated state which comprises the steps of interacting a plurality of laser beams in said medium which beams are tuned approximately to a frequency corresponding to the energy difference between said states and which differ in frequency by the inverse of the lifetime of the excited state, and delivery of one of said beam from said medium which has an energy greater than the energy of either of said beams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein further comprising the step of applying said beams to said medium and pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said interacting step is carried out by copropagating said beam through said medium so that the intersect in said medium at an angle of at least 0.6°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said medium is two-level atomic medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said medium is atomic vapor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said vapor is provided by heating and vaporizing said atomic metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein said medium is potassium vapor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said beams are of approximately equal intensity.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for combining coherent optical energy which comprises an atomic medium having at least two states one of which is a populated state, means for providing a plurality of beams of said energy each having a frequency corresponding to approximately the energy of the transition between said states and which differ in frequency by the inverse of the lifetime of said excited state, means for transmitting said beams through said medium in sufficient proximity so that nonlinear interaction occurs therebetween, and means for deriving one of said beams from said medium to which energy of said other beam is transferred.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for combining coherent optical energy which comprises an atomic medium having at least two states one of which is a populated state, means for providing a plurality of beams of said energy each having a frequency corresponding to approximately the energy of the transition between said states and which differ in frequency by the inverse of the lifetime of said excited state, means for transmitting said beams through said medium in sufficient proximity so that nonlinear interaction occurs therebetween, and means for deriving one of said beams from said medium to which energy of said other beam is transferred.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 9 wherein said atomic medium is an atomic vapor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 10 wherein said vapor is an alkali vapor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system according to claim 11 wherein said alkali is potassium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 9 wherein said providing means comprises means for generating said beams in pulses which are in coincidence with each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 9 wherein said transmitting means is operative to provide said beams for interaction at approximately equal intensity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 9 wherein said transmitting means includes means for directing said beams so that they intersect in said medium at an angle exceeding 0.6°.
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) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-10-16 | 1994-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-16 | 1997-10-16 | 1998-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-16 | 2001-10-16 | 2002-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |