US3814503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultra-fast terminator for intense laser pulses
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1973-02-07
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1993-02-07
Abstract
Abstract An ultra-fast terminator for laser pulses is provided in which plasma produced by firing a laser-triggered spark gap is used to speed and enhance the formation of a highly opaque plasma across the focal plane of a laser beam. The additional plasma contributed by the spark gap serves to prevent leakage of the beam past the plasma created by the laser itself.
Inventors
- 👤 D Milam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/005; H01S3/0064; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J2893/00; H01J2893/0059
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An ultra-fast terminator of intense laser pulses of a beam at a preset intensity level comprising a sealed gas cell, said gas cell including a very low-inductance spark gap, said lowinductance spark gap having two electrodes of preselected dimensions and preselected separation therebetween, a preselected gas at a preselected pressure, an input lens having a preselected focal length to focus input laser pulses of said beam between the separated two electrodes, an output lens to recollimate said laser pulses of said beam upon diverging from between said two electrodes, and a very high voltage source connected to said spark gap, upon reaching said preset intensity level laserinduced gas breakdown occurs to trigger said spark gap wIth the remainder of the laser pulse being absorbed in the dense plasma produced at the focal plane by firing said spark gap and by the laser-induced breakdown itself thus terminating the laser pulse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An ultra-fast terminator of intense laser pulses of a beam at a preset intensity level comprising a sealed gas cell, said gas cell including a very low-inductance spark gap, said lowinductance spark gap having two electrodes of preselected dimensions and preselected separation therebetween, a preselected gas at a preselected pressure, an input lens having a preselected focal length to focus input laser pulses of said beam between the separated two electrodes, an output lens to recollimate said laser pulses of said beam upon diverging from between said two electrodes, and a very high voltage source connected to said spark gap, upon reaching said preset intensity level laserinduced gas breakdown occurs to trigger said spark gap wIth the remainder of the laser pulse being absorbed in the dense plasma produced at the focal plane by firing said spark gap and by the laser-induced breakdown itself thus terminating the laser pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultra-fast terminator as described in claim 1 further including a low-inductance pulse-forming cable which matches the impedance of the low-impedance spark gap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultra-fast terminator as described in claim 2 further including a resistor interposed between said very high voltage source and said low-inductance pulse-forming cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultra-fast terminator as described in claim 1 wherein the electrical pulse produced by firing said low-inductance spark gap is transmitted by a matching low-inductance line to a matching low-inductance terminating load.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultra-fast terminator as described in claim 3 further including an additional gas in said gas cell to achieve a preselected composition of gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3295011A
Cited
US3433553A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |