Trio upconversion laser system
US5038358A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/09403
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Continuous laser action is sustained by a new pumping mechanism which relies exclusively on cooperative electronic transitions of coupled atoms or ions in solids. The laser depends on energy-sharing interactions between a trio of atoms in gases or active dopants in solid laser media to create the population inversion needed for amplification of light. In one specific embodiment, the laser crystal is formed of calcium fluoride doped heavily with trivalent erbium, and is provided with reflective coatings on respective first and second surfaces. A pumping energy is supplied whereby a three atoms are elevated to an initial excited state. Subsequently, two of the atoms lose energy so as to assume a ground state, the energy released thereby being made available to excite the third atom to a still higher quantum energy state. Thus, a cooperative energy interaction between the trio of atoms results in the double excitation of one of the atoms above the initial excitation state. The excited ion subsequently, upon relaxation to its initial excited energy level, causes the issuance of the laser photon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.