US5412684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave excited gas laser
Assignee: Fusion Systems Corp
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Filing: 1993-03-10
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Granted: 1995-05-02
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Expires: 2013-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A metal vapor/inert gas laser comprises a laser tube containing an inert gas and a metallic material capable of vaporizing and lasing, a microwave energy source, and a slow wave structure proximate the laser tube for coupling microwave energy from the source to the metal vapor in the laser tube. A non-metallic electronegative species can be substituted for the metallic material in the laser tube.
Inventors
- 👤 LaVerne A. Schlie
- 👤 Brian Turner
- 👤 John E. Waymouth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:21
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/0975; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A metal vapor/inert gas laser, comprising, a laser tube which contains an excitable medium containing an inert gas and metallic material which is capable of vaporizing and lasing, the metallic material when vaporized being present in a much smaller amount than the inert gas, source means generating microwave energy, and coupling means which includes a slow wave structure in proximate relation to said laser tube for coupling microwave energy from said source means to the excitable medium in said laser tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A metal vapor/inert gas laser, comprising, a laser tube which contains an excitable medium containing an inert gas and metallic material which is capable of vaporizing and lasing, the metallic material when vaporized being present in a much smaller amount than the inert gas, source means generating microwave energy, and coupling means which includes a slow wave structure in proximate relation to said laser tube for coupling microwave energy from said source means to the excitable medium in said laser tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The laser of claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes a conductive enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laser of claim 2 wherein the conductive enclosure completely surrounds the laser tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laser of claim 2 wherein the conductive enclosure is in at least substantial part a screened enclosure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laser of claim 4 wherein the slow wave structure structure comprises a helical coil which surrounds the tube which contains the excitable medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laser of claim 5 further including means for causing the wall of the laser tube to have a substantially uniform temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laser of claim 2 further including means for causing the wall of the laser tube to have a substantially uniform temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The laser of claim 7 wherein said means for causing the wall of the laser tube to have a substantially uniform temperature comprises means for circulating fluid around the tube and means for controlling the temperature of the fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electronegative species/inert gas laser, comprising, a laser tube which contains an excitable medium containing an inert gas and non-metallic electronegative species material which is capable of vaporizing and lasing, the non-metallic material when vaporized being present in a much smaller amount than the inert gas, source means generating microwave energy, and coupling means which includes a slow wave structure in proximity to said laser tube for coupling microwave energy from said source means to the excitable medium in said laser tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electronegative species/inert gas laser, comprising, a laser tube which contains an excitable medium containing an inert gas and non-metallic electronegative species material which is capable of vaporizing and lasing, the non-metallic material when vaporized being present in a much smaller amount than the inert gas, source means generating microwave energy, and coupling means which includes a slow wave structure in proximity to said laser tube for coupling microwave energy from said source means to the excitable medium in said laser tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laser of claim 9 wherein said coupling means also includes a conductive enclosure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laser of claim 10 further including means for causing the wall of the laser tube to have a substantially uniform temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The laser of claim 11 wherein said means for causing the wall of the laser tube to have a substantially uniform temperature comprises means for circulating fluid around the tube and means for controlling the temperature of the fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laser of claim 10 wherein said conductive enclosure completely surrounds the laser tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser of claim 10 wherein the conductive enclosure is at least in substantial part screened.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laser of claim 14 wherein the slow wave structure comprises a helical coil which surrounds the tube which contains the excitable medium.
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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) | 1998-05-01 | 1998-10-31 | 1999-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-01 | 2002-10-31 | 2003-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-01 | 2006-10-31 | 2007-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |