US5164953A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Population inversion by excited energy level absorption
Assignee: LTV Aerospace and Defense Co
•
Filing: 1990-10-26
•
Granted: 1992-11-17
•
Expires: 2010-10-26
Abstract
Abstract Devices and methods are taught by this invention of populating excited energy levels with fundamental particles. When these populated excited energy levels are further pumped, a population inversion used in quantum electronic applications can result. Each of the various methods involve pumping on an excited energy level of an elemental physical system to cause, by the absorption of energy, the transition of fundamental particles from the excited energy level to a higher energy level. Part of the energy is used for transition of fundamental particles residing in neighboring elemental physical systems from the lowest energy to the excited energy level.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Case
- 👤 Mark E. Koch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/14; H01S3/16; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/094; H01S3/094092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 110
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a plurality of said elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from " level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; said "pump from" level having electrons with energy states which are lower than the energy states of the electrons on said "excite to" level; and an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said plurality of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
232 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a plurality of said elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from " level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; said "pump from" level having electrons with energy states which are lower than the energy states of the electrons on said "excite to" level; and an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said plurality of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said energy source is a continuous wave laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said energy source is a pulsed laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said energy source comprises a laser having an output wavelength of about 677 nanometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said energy source comprises a laser having a medium comprising Ti:Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said ions comprise rare earth ions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said ions comprise actinide ions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said ions comprise transition metal ions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Pr.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Ho.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Tm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said ions reside in a gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said ions reside in a crystal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 13 wherein said crystal comprises YAG.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 13 wherein said crystal comprises YAG, a majority dopant of Tm, and a minority dopant of Ho.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 13 wherein said crystal comprises LaCl 3 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 16 wherein said crystal is doped with Pr +3 ions.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
244 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a plurality of said elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from" level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level having an energy level at least as high as the "pump from" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; said "pump from" level having electrons with energy states which are lower than the energy states of the electrons on said "decay to" level; and an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said plurality of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
244 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a plurality of said elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from" level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level having an energy level at least as high as the "pump from" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; said "pump from" level having electrons with energy states which are lower than the energy states of the electrons on said "decay to" level; and an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said plurality of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein said energy source is a continuous wave laser.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein said energy source is a pulsed laser.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein said energy source comprises a laser having an output wavelength of about 677 nanometers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein said energy source comprises a laser having a medium comprising Ti:Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein at least some of said ions comprise rare earth ions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein at least some of said ions comprise actinide ions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein at least some of said ions comprise transition metal ions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Pr.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Ho.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Tm.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein said ions reside in a gas.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 18 wherein said ions reside in a crystal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 30 wherein said crystal comprises LaCl 3 .
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 31 wherein said crystal is doped with Pr +3 ions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 30 wherein said crystal comprises YAG.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 30 wherein said crystal comprises YAG, a majority dopant of Tm, and a minority dopant of Ho.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
244 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a plurality of said elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from" level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level having an energy level at least as high as the "pump from" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; said "decay to" level having electrons with energy states which are different from the energy states of the electrons on said "excite to" level; and an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said plurality of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
244 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a plurality of said elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from" level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level having an energy level at least as high as the "pump from" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; said "decay to" level having electrons with energy states which are different from the energy states of the electrons on said "excite to" level; and an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said plurality of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein said energy source is a continuous wave laser.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein said energy source is a pulsed laser.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein said energy source comprises a laser having an output wavelength of about 677 nanometers.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein said energy source comprises a laser having a medium comprising Ti:Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein at least some of said ions comprise rare earth ions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein at least some of said rare earth ions comprise actinide ions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein at least some of said ions comprise transition metal ions.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Pr.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Ho.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Tm.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein said ions reside in a gas.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 35 wherein said ions reside in a crystal.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 47 wherein said crystal comprises LaCl 3 .
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 48 wherein said crystal is doped with Pr +3 ions.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 47 wherein said crystal comprises YAG.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 47 wherein said crystal comprises YAG, a majority dopant of Tm, and a minority dopant of Ho.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
252 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a plurality of said elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from" level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level having an energy level at least as high as the "pump from" level, a "decay from" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; the energy difference between said "decay from" level and said "decay to" level being different from the energy difference between said "excite to" level and said ground level; and an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said plurality of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
252 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a plurality of said elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from" level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level having an energy level at least as high as the "pump from" level, a "decay from" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; the energy difference between said "decay from" level and said "decay to" level being different from the energy difference between said "excite to" level and said ground level; and an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said plurality of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein said energy source is a continuous wave laser.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein said energy source is a pulsed laser.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein said energy source comprises a laser having an output wavelength of about 677 nanometers.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein said energy source comprises a laser having a medium comprising Ti:Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein at least some of said ions comprise rare earth ions.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein at least some of said rare earth ions comprise actinide ions.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein at least some of said ions comprise transition metal ions.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Pr.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Ho.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Tm.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein said ions reside in a gas.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 52 wherein said ions reside in a crystal.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 64 wherein said crystal comprises LaCl 3 .
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 65 wherein said crystal is doped with Pr +3 ions.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 64 wherein said crystal comprises YAG.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 64 wherein said crystal comprises YAG, a majority dopant of Tm, and a minority dopant of Ho.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
287 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a plurality of said elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from" level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level, a "decay from" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; the energy difference between said "decay from" level and said "decay to" level being different from the energy difference between said "excite to" level and said ground level; and said "decay to" level having an energy level which is different from said "excite to" level; said "pump from" level having an energy level which is lower than said "decay to" level; said "pump from" level having an energy level which is lower than said "excite to" level; an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said plurality of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
287 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a plurality of said elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from" level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level, a "decay from" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; the energy difference between said "decay from" level and said "decay to" level being different from the energy difference between said "excite to" level and said ground level; and said "decay to" level having an energy level which is different from said "excite to" level; said "pump from" level having an energy level which is lower than said "decay to" level; said "pump from" level having an energy level which is lower than said "excite to" level; an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said plurality of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein said energy source is a continuous wave laser.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein said energy source is a pulsed laser.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein said energy source comprises a laser having an output wavelength of about 677 nanometers.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein said energy source comprises a laser having a medium comprising Ti:Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein at least some of said ions comprise rare earth ions.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein at least some of said rare earth ions comprise actinide ions.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein at least some of said ions comprise transition metal ions.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Pr.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Ho.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Tm.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein said ions reside in a gas.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 69 wherein said ions reside in a crystal.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 81 wherein said crystal comprises LaCl 3 .
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 82 wherein said crystal is doped with Pr +3 ions.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 81 wherein said crystal comprises YAG.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 81 wherein said crystal comprises YAG, a majority dopant of Tm, and a minority dopant of Ho.
Claim 91
Independent Claim
189 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a first set of elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from" level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level having an energy level at least as high as the "pump from" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said first set of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level; and a second set of elemental physical systems which are cross-pumped by transitions occurring in said first set.
Claim 92
Independent Claim
189 words
A device for generating populations of electrons in excited levels of elemental physical systems, selected from the group consisting of atoms, molecules, and ions, said device comprising: a container for containing a first set of elemental physical systems, each of said elemental physical systems having associated therewith at least: a ground level, a "pump from" level which is different from the ground level, a "pump to" level, an "excite to" level having an energy level at least as high as the "pump from" level, a "decay to" level, and a plurality of electrons residing in said levels, depending upon the energy state for each electron; an energy source, positioned and arranged to supply energy to said first set of elemental physical systems over a preselected energy range such that substantially only electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said energy source and transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level; and a second set of elemental physical systems which are cross-pumped by transitions occurring in said first set.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein said energy source is a continuous wave laser.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein said energy source is a pulsed laser.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein said energy source comprises a laser having an output wavelength of about 677 nanometers.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 86, wherein said energy source comprises a laser having a medium comprising Ti:Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein at least some of said ions comprise rare earth ions.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein at least some of said ions comprise actinide ions.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein at least some of said ions comprise transition metal ions.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Pr.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Ho.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein at least some of said ions comprise Tm.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein said ions reside in a gas.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 86 wherein said ions reside in a crystal.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 98 wherein said crystal comprises LaCl 3 .
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 99 wherein said crystal is doped with Pr +3 ions.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 98 wherein said crystal comprises YAG.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 98 wherein said crystal comprises YAG, a majority dopant of Tm, and a minority dopant of Ho.
Claim 109
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for generating a plurality of electrons in excited levels of ions, comprising: a container for containing a crystal doped with ions, each ion having associated therewith at least: a ground energy state level, a "pump from" energy state level which is higher than the ground energy state level, a "pump to" energy state level, an "excite to" energy state level which is higher than the "pump from" energy state level, a "decay from" energy state level, a "decay to" energy state level which is higher than the "pump from" energy state level and different from the "excite to" energy state level, and a plurality of electrons having energy states associated therewith, each electron residing on a level, depending upon the energy state for that electron; and a laser, positioned and arranged to supply energy at a preselected energy range so that substantially only the electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said laser, said energy absorption causing the electrons in the "pump from" level to transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
Claim 110
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for generating a plurality of electrons in excited levels of ions, comprising: a container for containing a crystal doped with ions, each ion having associated therewith at least: a ground energy state level, a "pump from" energy state level which is higher than the ground energy state level, a "pump to" energy state level, an "excite to" energy state level which is higher than the "pump from" energy state level, a "decay from" energy state level, a "decay to" energy state level which is higher than the "pump from" energy state level and different from the "excite to" energy state level, and a plurality of electrons having energy states associated therewith, each electron residing on a level, depending upon the energy state for that electron; and a laser, positioned and arranged to supply energy at a preselected energy range so that substantially only the electrons residing in said "pump from" level absorb energy from said laser, said energy absorption causing the electrons in the "pump from" level to transition to said "pump to" level at a rate greater than the rate at which electrons decay from said "pump from" level to said ground level, whereby an electron at the "pump to" level, in the process of transitioning to the "decay to" level, transfers at least part of its energy to raise an electron in the ground level to the "excite to" level which is then available for pumping to the "pump to" level.
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US4746484A
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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) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |