Collisional ionization detected atomic resonance filter
US5111047A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 1990 |
| Grant date | May 5, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/60
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus and a related method for detecting signal photons of a selected wavelength using ionization induced by collisions between atomic or molecular particles. Signal photons raise the energy level of a proportion of particles introduced into a detection chamber to a selected metastable state. Optionally, a pump laser assists in raising the energy level of the particles to a metastable state close to the ionization continuum. Collisions between particles in the selected metastable state and particles of the buffer gas cause ionization of the metastable particles, and a measurable electrical current is obtained, without the need for strong electric fields for ionization, or the need for strong optical fields for photoionization. In a variant form of the invention, a second substance is admitted into the detection chamber. Collisions between the original atomic or molecular particles and particles of the second substance cause ionization of the second substance, again providing a measurable electric current from the free electrons or ions that are produced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.