US4879723A
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Intracavity generation of coherent optical radiation of optical mixing
Assignee: Scientific Atlanta LLC
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Filing: 1987-07-27
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2007-07-27
Abstract
Abstract An efficient, compact source of coherent radiation in the infrared, visible and ultraviolet portion of the spectrum which is capable of modulation rates over the range from 0 Hz to in excess of 1 GHz. The radiation is produced by optical mixing within the optical cavity of a laser by introducing input radiation into the optical cavity where: (a) the cavity is that of a diode-pumped solid state laser, and/or (b) input radiation is provided by a solid state device selected from the group consisting of laser diodes, laser diode arrays and diode-pumped solid state lasers.
Inventors
- 👤 George J. Dixon
- 👤 Douglas W. Anthon
- 👤 John H. Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:21
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/06; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/108; H01S3/1083; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/353; G02F1/354
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency, w 1 , from a lasant material within an optical cavity; (b) generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 , from a source which comprises a laser diode; (c) introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (d) interacting said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency with a nonlinear optical material within the optical cavity to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency, w 1 , from a lasant material within an optical cavity; (b) generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 , from a source which comprises a laser diode; (c) introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (d) interacting said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency with a nonlinear optical material within the optical cavity to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the source of said radiation of a second frequency comprises a laser diode array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein w 3 =w 1 +w 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein w 3 is the difference between w 1 and w 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said radiation of a first frequency is generated by optically pumping a solid lasant material.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
18 words
The method of claim I wherein the optical pump for said solid lasant material comprises a laser diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said optical pump comprises a laser diode array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said lasant material is comprised of neodymium-doped YAG.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 which additionally comprises modulating said radiation of a third frequency by modulating said radiation of a second frequency.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 which additionally comprises adjusting and controlling the polarization of said radiation of a first frequency and the polarization of said radiation of a second frequency to optimize the generation of said radiation of a third frequency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said nonlinear optical material comprises potassium titanyl phosphate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency, w 1 , from a lasant material within an optical cavity; (b) generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 , from a source which comprises a diode-pumped solid state laser; (c) introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (d) interacting said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency with a nonlinear optical material within the optical cavity to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 14
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency, w 1 , from a lasant material within an optical cavity; (b) generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 , from a source which comprises a diode-pumped solid state laser; (c) introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (d) interacting said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency with a nonlinear optical material within the optical cavity to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the source of said radiation of a second frequency comprises a diode-pumped frequency-doubled solid state laser.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (A) generating optical pumping radiation from a diode light source; (b) generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency, w 1 , by optically pumping a solid lasant material with said optical pumping radiation within an optical cavity; (c) generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 ; (d) introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (e) interacting said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency with a nonlinear optical material within the optical cavity to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 17
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (A) generating optical pumping radiation from a diode light source; (b) generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency, w 1 , by optically pumping a solid lasant material with said optical pumping radiation within an optical cavity; (c) generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 ; (d) introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (e) interacting said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency with a nonlinear optical material within the optical cavity to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said diode light source comprises a laser diode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said diode light source comprises a laser diode array.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said diode light source comprises a light-emitting diode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14 wherein w 3 =w 1 +w 2 .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14 wherein w 3 is the difference between w 1 and w 2 .
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said lasant material is comprised of neodymium-doped YAG.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 14 which additionally comprise adjusting and controlling the polarization of said radiation of a first frequency and the polarization of said radiation of a second frequency to optimize the generation of said radiation of a third frequency.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 51 wherein said nonlinear optical material comprises potassium titanyl phosphate.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) means for generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency, w 1 , which comprises a lasant material within an optical cavity; (b) means for generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 , which is outside of said optical cavity and comprises laser diode; (c) means for introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (d) nonlinear optical means within said optical cavity for interacting with said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 27
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) means for generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency, w 1 , which comprises a lasant material within an optical cavity; (b) means for generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 , which is outside of said optical cavity and comprises laser diode; (c) means for introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (d) nonlinear optical means within said optical cavity for interacting with said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said means for generating said radiation of a second frequency comprises a laser diode array.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein w 3 =w 1 +w 2 .
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein w 3 is the difference between w 1 and w 2 .
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said means for generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency comprises an optically pumped solid lasant material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the optical pump for said solid lasant material comprises a laser diode.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said optical pump comprises a laser diode array.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said lasant material is comprised of neodymium-doped YAG.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 23 which additionally comprises temperature control means for adjusting and controlling the temperature of said means for generating said radiation of a second frequency.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 23 which additionally comprises means for modulating said radiation of a second frequency.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 23 which additionally comprises polarization means for controlling the polarization of said radiation of a first frequency and the polarization of said radiation of a second frequency.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said nonlinear optical means is comprised of potassium titanyl phosphate.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (A) means for generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency w 1 , which comprises a lasant material within an optical cavity; (b) means for generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 , which is outside of said optical cavity and comprises a diode-pumped solid state laser; (c) means for introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (d) nonlinear optical means within said optical cavity for interacting with said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 40
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (A) means for generating coherent optical radiation of a first frequency w 1 , which comprises a lasant material within an optical cavity; (b) means for generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 , which is outside of said optical cavity and comprises a diode-pumped solid state laser; (c) means for introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (d) nonlinear optical means within said optical cavity for interacting with said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said means for generating said radiation of a second frequency comprises a diode-pumped frequency-doubled solid state laser.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) optical pumping means for generating optical pumping radiation which is comprised of a diode light source; (b) solid lasant material within an optical cavity, wherein said lasant material is positioned to receive pumping radiation from said optical pumping means and is effective for producing coherent optical radiation of a first frequency, w 1 , upon being pumped by the pumping radiation; (c) means for generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 , wherein said means for generating radiation of a second frequency is located outside of said optical cavity; (d) means for introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (e) nonlinear optical means within said optical cavity for interacting with said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 43
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for generating coherent optical radiation which comprises: (a) optical pumping means for generating optical pumping radiation which is comprised of a diode light source; (b) solid lasant material within an optical cavity, wherein said lasant material is positioned to receive pumping radiation from said optical pumping means and is effective for producing coherent optical radiation of a first frequency, w 1 , upon being pumped by the pumping radiation; (c) means for generating coherent optical radiation of a second frequency, w 2 , wherein said means for generating radiation of a second frequency is located outside of said optical cavity; (d) means for introducing said radiation of a second frequency into said optical cavity; and (e) nonlinear optical means within said optical cavity for interacting with said radiation of a first frequency and said radiation of a second frequency to generate coherent optical radiation of a third frequency, w 3 .
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said diode light source comprises a laser diode.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said diode light source comprises a laser diode array.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said diode light source comprises a light-emitting diode.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein w 3 =w 1 +w 2 .
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein w 3 is the difference between w 1 and w 2 .
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said lasant material is comprised of neodymium-doped YAG.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 37 which additionally comprises polarization means for controlling the polarization of said radiation of a first frequency and the polarization of said radiation of a second frequency.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said nonlinear optical means is comprised of potassium titanyl phosphate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |