US3702974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reduction of thermally induced stress birefringence in a synthetic crystal by control of growth direction
Assignee: Union Carbide Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-26
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Granted: 1972-11-14
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Expires: 1990-10-26
Abstract
Abstract Thermally induced stress birefringence in a synthetic laser rod crystal can be minimized in certain portions of the crystal by growing the crystal in a specified direction. This direction is the (001) or equivalent direction as contrasted to the conventional (111) growth direction. Utilizing such a crystal in a laser system having a polarizing means in the optical cavity enables power losses in the polarized laser light to be minimized by orienting the direction of polarization to intercept those portions of the crystal exhibiting minimum birefringence.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Koechner
- 👤 Dennis Keith Rice
- 👤 Larry Grant Deshazer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:50
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/14; H01S3/16; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08072; H01S3/1601; H01S3/1603; H01S3/1611; H01S3/163; H01S3/164; H01S3/1643
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of reducing thermally induced stress birefringence in portions of a synthetic laser rod crystal having cubic symmetry comprising the step of growing the crystal in the (001) direction or equivalent such that one of the crystallographic axes of the rod is parallel to the lasing action of the rod.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of reducing thermally induced stress birefringence in portions of a synthetic laser rod crystal having cubic symmetry comprising the step of growing the crystal in the (001) direction or equivalent such that one of the crystallographic axes of the rod is parallel to the lasing action of the rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 1, in which said crystal is yttrium aluminum garnet doped with neodymium ions and formed into a cylindrical rod for use as a laser medium in a laser system having a polarizing means in the optical cavity, said method including the step of fixing the relative orientation of said rod and polarizing means such that the direction of polarization intercepts at least some of those portions of the crystal exhibiting minimum birefringence, whereby power losses in the polarized laser light are minimized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A synthetic laser rod crystal having cubic symmetry grown in the (001) direction or equivalent such that one of the crystallographic axes of the rod is parallel to the lasing axis of the rod to minimize thermally induced stress birefringence in portions of the crystal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A synthetic laser rod crystal having cubic symmetry grown in the (001) direction or equivalent such that one of the crystallographic axes of the rod is parallel to the lasing axis of the rod to minimize thermally induced stress birefringence in portions of the crystal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The subject matter of claim 3, in which said crystal comprises yttrium aluminum garnet doped with neodymium ions and formed into a cylindrical rod for use as a laser medium in a laser system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a laser system including a laser rod, light pumping means, first and second end mirrors defining an optical cavity, and a polarizing means in said cavity, the improvement comprising the combination of a yttrium aluminum garnet host crystal doped with neodymium ions for said laser rod grown in the (001) direction or equivalent such that one of the crystallographic axes of the rod is parallel to the lasing axis of the rod and a means relatively orienting said crystal and direction of polarization of said polarizing means such that those portions of said crystal intercepted by polarized light exhibit minimum thermally induced birefringence as a consequence of crystal growth in said (001) or equivalent direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a laser system including a laser rod, light pumping means, first and second end mirrors defining an optical cavity, and a polarizing means in said cavity, the improvement comprising the combination of a yttrium aluminum garnet host crystal doped with neodymium ions for said laser rod grown in the (001) direction or equivalent such that one of the crystallographic axes of the rod is parallel to the lasing axis of the rod and a means relatively orienting said crystal and direction of polarization of said polarizing means such that those portions of said crystal intercepted by polarized light exhibit minimum thermally induced birefringence as a consequence of crystal growth in said (001) or equivalent direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3130254A
Cited
US3252103A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-14 | 1976-05-15 | 1976-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-14 | 1980-05-15 | 1980-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-14 | 1984-05-15 | 1984-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |