US3872407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapidly tunable laser
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-09-01
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1992-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A tunable laser having a rotatable mirror as one portion of the laser cavity and a diffraction grating positioned with respect to the rotatable mirro such that the rotatable mirror causes the laser beam to scan the diffraction grating and thereby change the effective wavelength of the output laser beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Swart Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:56
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/105; H01S3/1055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A rapidly tunable laser comprising; a laser cavity having an output mirror as a front element; a dispersive means fixedly mounted with respect to the laser path as a back reflective element; laser means positioned within said cavity for outputting a laser beam of a given wavelength and being adapted to be tuned across a given bandwidth; tuning means optically and movably positioned between said laser and said dispersive means so that it may be driven to cause a physical movement thereof and a corresponding movement of the laser beam; said dispersive means being positioned with respect to said tuning means so that when the tuning means is driven the laser beam is scanned across the fixed dispersive means thereby causing the output wavelength of the laser to change dependent upon the amount of scan.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A rapidly tunable laser comprising; a laser cavity having an output mirror as a front element; a dispersive means fixedly mounted with respect to the laser path as a back reflective element; laser means positioned within said cavity for outputting a laser beam of a given wavelength and being adapted to be tuned across a given bandwidth; tuning means optically and movably positioned between said laser and said dispersive means so that it may be driven to cause a physical movement thereof and a corresponding movement of the laser beam; said dispersive means being positioned with respect to said tuning means so that when the tuning means is driven the laser beam is scanned across the fixed dispersive means thereby causing the output wavelength of the laser to change dependent upon the amount of scan.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A rapidly tunable laser as set forth in claim 1 wherein; said tuning means comprises a mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A rapidly tunable laser as set forth in claim 1 wherein; said dispersive means comprises a diffraction grating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A rapidly tunable laser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said laser means comprises a dye laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tunable laser as set forth in claim 2 wherein; said tuning mirror comprises a bimorph scanning system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tunable laser as set forth in claim 2 and further including; driving means connected to said tuning mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tunable laser as set forth in claim 6 wherein; said driving means comprises a galvanometer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tunable laser as set forth in claim 5 wherein; said bimorph scanning system comprises two tiny mirrors on voltage sensitive piezoelectric bimorph strips.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |