US3816754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunable infrared/ultraviolet laser
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1973-03-21
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Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1993-03-21
Abstract
Abstract An infrared source producing a coherent output having a spectrally narrow and continuously tunable frequency is described. Such a source uses a four wave mixing process in an alkali metal vapor, wherein the initial input beams to the alkali metal vapor come from two dye lasers. In an alternative mode of operation, tunable ultraviolet output is obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hodgson
- 👤 J Wynne
- 👤 J Lankard
- 👤 P Sorokin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/30; H01S3/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A frequency tunable system comprising: a first tunable laser for producing a first beam of radiation at a first frequency, a nonlinear material having a given energy state above ground level which is connected by a Raman-type process 0to the ground level, means for directing said first beam into said material so as to create stimulated Raman scattering at a second frequency equal to the difference between the first frequency and that frequency corresponding to the energy difference between said given energy state and said ground level, a second tunable laser for producing a third beam at a third frequency, and means for directing said third beam colinearly with said first beam into said material whereby said three frequencies mix to produce a fourth frequency, the latter being tunable in response to the tuning of said third frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A frequency tunable system comprising: a first tunable laser for producing a first beam of radiation at a first frequency, a nonlinear material having a given energy state above ground level which is connected by a Raman-type process 0to the ground level, means for directing said first beam into said material so as to create stimulated Raman scattering at a second frequency equal to the difference between the first frequency and that frequency corresponding to the energy difference between said given energy state and said ground level, a second tunable laser for producing a third beam at a third frequency, and means for directing said third beam colinearly with said first beam into said material whereby said three frequencies mix to produce a fourth frequency, the latter being tunable in response to the tuning of said third frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
150 words
A frequency tunable system comprising: a first tunable laser for producing a first beam of radiation At a first frequency, a nonlinear material having a given energy state above ground level which is connected by a Raman-type process to the ground level, as well as intermediate energy states nearly resonant with the first frequency, means for directing said first beam into said material so as to create stimulated Raman scattering at a second frequency equal to the difference between the first frequency and that frequency corresponding to the energy difference between said given energy state and said ground level, a second tunable laser for producing a third beam at a third frequency, and means for directing said third beam colinearly with said first beam into said material whereby said three frequencies mix to produce a fourth frequency, the latter being tunable in response to the tuning of said third frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
150 words
A frequency tunable system comprising: a first tunable laser for producing a first beam of radiation At a first frequency, a nonlinear material having a given energy state above ground level which is connected by a Raman-type process to the ground level, as well as intermediate energy states nearly resonant with the first frequency, means for directing said first beam into said material so as to create stimulated Raman scattering at a second frequency equal to the difference between the first frequency and that frequency corresponding to the energy difference between said given energy state and said ground level, a second tunable laser for producing a third beam at a third frequency, and means for directing said third beam colinearly with said first beam into said material whereby said three frequencies mix to produce a fourth frequency, the latter being tunable in response to the tuning of said third frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The frequency tunable system of claim 1 wherein said nonlinear material is centrosymmetric.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The frequency tunable system of claim 1 wherein said nonlinear material is a gaseous vapor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The frequency tunable system of claim 4 wherein said gaseous vapor is an alkali metal vapor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The frequency tunable system of claim 5 wherein said alkali metal vapor is potassium vapor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The frequency tunable system of claim 5 wherein said alkali metal vapor is rubidium vapor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The frequency tunable system of claim 5 wherein said alkali metal vapor is cesium vapor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The frequency tunable system of claim 5 wherein said alkali metal vapor is sodium vapor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The frequency tunable system of claim 5 wherein said alkali metal vapor is lithium vapor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The generator of claim 2 wherein said first laser is tunable to a frequency that provides phase matching for that specific four wave mixing which produces infrared radiation at said fourth frequency, the latter being equal to said first frequency minus said second frequency minus said third frequency.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The generator of claim 1 wherein a second material is added to said nonlinear material so as to provide phase matching of the specific four wave mixing process which produces infrared radiation at said fourth frequency, the latter being equal to said first frequency minus said second frequency minus said third frequency.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The generator of claim 2 wherein a second material is added to said nonlinear material so as to provide phase matching of the specific four wave mixing process which produces ultraviolet radiation at said fourth frequency, the latter being equal to said first frequency minus said second frequency plus said third frequency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The generator of claim 1 wherein a second material is added to said nonlinear material as as to provide phase matching of the specific four wave mixing process which produces ultraviolet radiation at said fourth frequency, the latter being equal to said first frequency minus said second frequency plus said third frequency.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3398294A
Cited
US3371265A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |