USH99H
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular unstable ring resonator with multiple output couplers
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1984-05-24
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Granted: 1986-08-05
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Expires: 2004-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A modular unstable ring resonator utilizing several independent gain modules is used to obtain output of a multiple set of mutually coherent beams. Additionally, rigorous mutual coherence is maintained even when the system operates on more than one longitudinal mode or/and on more than one gain transition; specific frequency-control elements are eliminated; satisfactory operation is possible with one or more gain-medium modules disabled. Each segment of the ring resonator's optical path may contain a laser gain medium, an output mirror, and a beam expander for continuously circulating a portion of the system flux while also coupling out a portion of the flux from each output mirror. The plural outputs may be used individually or collectively.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Jones
- 👤 Charles M. Cason, III
- 👤 James F. Perkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 00:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A modular unstable ring resonator consisting of: a plurality of beam turning mirrors, spaced apart and disposed for providing a circuitous optical path that forms the boundary of an area; a plurality of pairs of laser gain medium modules and beam expander modules, at least one pair of said plurality of pairs being disposed between adjacent ones of said beam turning mirrors in said optical path, and a plurality of beam output means for providing mutually coherent output beams, one of said beam output means being disposed between the laser gain medium module and beam expander module of each pair of said laser gain medium modules and beam expander modules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A modular unstable ring resonator consisting of: a plurality of beam turning mirrors, spaced apart and disposed for providing a circuitous optical path that forms the boundary of an area; a plurality of pairs of laser gain medium modules and beam expander modules, at least one pair of said plurality of pairs being disposed between adjacent ones of said beam turning mirrors in said optical path, and a plurality of beam output means for providing mutually coherent output beams, one of said beam output means being disposed between the laser gain medium module and beam expander module of each pair of said laser gain medium modules and beam expander modules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A modular unstable ring resonator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said beam expander modules are inverted afocal telescopes and said beam output means are scraper mirrors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A modular unstable ring resonator as set forth in claim 2 wherein said afocal telescopes are aplanatic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A modular unstable ring resonator as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plurality of pairs of laser gain medium modules and beam expander modules comprise at least five pair, and said scraper mirrors are output mirrors having a central aperture therethrough for passing optical energy therethrough from said laser gain medium module to said beam expander module along said optical path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A modular unstable ring resonator consisting of: a closed loop optical path; a plurality of beam turning mirrors selectively located for directing optical flux around said optical path; said optical path being defined as a plurality of path segments, each path segment lying between respective adjacent mirrors; a plurality of means disposed in said optical path for amplifying optical flux passing therethrough, and plural output mirrors disposed in respective parts of the optical path for output coupling separate, distinct, and mutually coherent beams of flux.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
A modular unstable ring resonator consisting of: a closed loop optical path; a plurality of beam turning mirrors selectively located for directing optical flux around said optical path; said optical path being defined as a plurality of path segments, each path segment lying between respective adjacent mirrors; a plurality of means disposed in said optical path for amplifying optical flux passing therethrough, and plural output mirrors disposed in respective parts of the optical path for output coupling separate, distinct, and mutually coherent beams of flux.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A modular unstable ring resonator as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said means disposed in said optical path for amplifying optical flux comprises a laser gain medium having an optical input and output for said optical flux, and a beam expander in series therewith for expanding output flux received from said laser gain medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A modular unstable ring resonator as set forth in claim 6 wherein said output mirrors have a central aperture therethrough, and wherein one of said plural output mirrors is disposed between each laser gain medium output and the beam expander for providing respective flux outputs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A modular unstable ring resonator as set forth in claim 7 wherein said plurality of path segments are first, second, third, and fourth sequential segments, said plurality of amplifying means are first and second amplifying means disposed in respective first and third of said path segments, and wherein said plural output mirrors are first and second mirrors disposed in said first and third path segments respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A modular unstable ring resonator as set forth in claim 8 wherein said beam expanders are aplanatic and said output mirrors are disposed for directing output flux toward a common point for combining the outputs.
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) | 1989-08-04 | 1990-02-03 | 1990-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-04 | 1994-02-03 | 1994-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-04 | 1998-02-03 | 1998-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |