US3569856A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser frequency modulating system
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1968-02-08
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1988-02-08
Abstract
Abstract The invention is directed to an optical laser of the Fabry-Perot resonant cavity type wherein at least one of the cavity reflectors is formed from an electro-optical material shaped as an echelon. An electric modulating field is applied to the electro-optical material by placing the material in a dielectric waveguide. The modulating field causes a proportional change in the optical path length of the resonant cavity which in turn frequency modulates the output of the optical laser.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart L Ridgway
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A laser system comprising: first and second laserable materials; first and second pumping means for said first and second laserable materials; means shifting the frequency of said second laserable material with respect to that of said first laserable material to maintain a substantially fixed frequency differential between said first and second laserable materials; a reflection echelon consisting of an electro-optic material, spaced from said second laserable material; a waveguide partially enclosing said reflection echelon, said echelon projecting through one wall portion thereof; a resonant cavity including a reflector facing said first laserable material, said cavity further including said reflection echelon and waveguide, said reflector and said waveguide enclosing said first and second laserable materials; and means for exciting said waveguide, said excitation varying the optical path length of said reflection echelon to select the frequency produced by the laser system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A laser system comprising: first and second laserable materials; first and second pumping means for said first and second laserable materials; means shifting the frequency of said second laserable material with respect to that of said first laserable material to maintain a substantially fixed frequency differential between said first and second laserable materials; a reflection echelon consisting of an electro-optic material, spaced from said second laserable material; a waveguide partially enclosing said reflection echelon, said echelon projecting through one wall portion thereof; a resonant cavity including a reflector facing said first laserable material, said cavity further including said reflection echelon and waveguide, said reflector and said waveguide enclosing said first and second laserable materials; and means for exciting said waveguide, said excitation varying the optical path length of said reflection echelon to select the frequency produced by the laser system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A laser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for exciting said waveguide comprises a variable oscillator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A laser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means shifting the frequency of said laserable material operates to maintain a fixed temperature differential between said first and second laserable materials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A laser system as claimed in claim 1, wherein adjacent steps of said echelon are axially spaced apart a distance equivalent to an integral number of one-half wavelengths of the operating frequency.
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) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |