This is a restricted class for coherent light generator systems
wherein an assembly of electrical, mechanical, and optical components
produces an intense, coherent, directional beam of light by stimulating
electronic, ionic, or molecular transitions to lower energy levels.
The generators of this system consists of (a) a medium which
may be solid, liquid or gaseous, comprising a system of particles,
molecules, or atoms; (b) means including a source of energy for
setting the particles, molecules, or atoms into an excited energy
state; and (c) means to abstract electromagnetic wave energy produced
by the relaxation of the system of particles, molecules, or atoms
to a lower energy state. The means to abstract electromagnetic
wave energy provides for escape from said substance of substantially
coherent electromagnetic radiation in the optical or Quasi-optical wavelength
range. In general, the wavelength of the emitted radiation lies
in the range from the ultraviolet to the far infrared of the electromagnetic
spectrum, corresponding to a wavelength range extending from 100
to 2,000,000 angstroms.
The generators of these systems when combined with other diverse
systems or devices will be classified with the diverse system or
device.
Radiant Energy,
subclasses 423+ for lasers used to generate ions; subclasses 281+ for lasers
used in ionic separation systems; and subclass 493.1 for other radiant
energy generators.
Compositions,
subclasses 301.16+ , 301.36, and 301.4+ for compositions used
as the active medium in lasers; and subclasses 372+ for
gas compositions used as the active medium in lasers.
Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State
Diodes),
subclasses 13 , 79 through 103 and 918, for incoherent light emitting injection
luminescent devices, and subclasses 80 through 85 for incoherent
semiconductor light emitting sources combined with semiconductor
light responsive devices. In general, to avoid excessive duplication
of the same patents in both Classes 372 and 257, patents with claims
reciting coherent light generators (lasers) are not to be cross-referenced
in the aforementioned subclasses in Class 257 unless those patents
contain disclosure of a light emitting semiconductor device which
is NOT a laser or coherent generator.
Optical: Systems and Elements,
subclass 27 for holographic systems having a particular laser
source; and subclasses 333+ for laser used as amplifiers.
Search other subclasses for the lenses, reflectors, etc., used in
laser systems.
Induced Nuclear Reactions: Processes, Systems,
and Elements,
subclasses 103 and 122 for lasers used for nuclear fusion; and
subclass 326 for the combination of a laser and a nuclear reactor.
Optical Communications, various subclasses for optical communication systems which
may use a laser,
subclasses 43 through 103for optical multiplexing communications systems which
utilize lasers.
Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material,
Process,
subclasses 150+ for high temperature (Tc
30 K) superconducting devices, particularly subclass 180 for laser
generators using high temperature superconducting material.
Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and
Calculating,
subclasses 191 and 800+ for computations which include
electro-optic means.
SECTION III - GLOSSARY
ACOUSTO-OPTIC
The effect, on the properties of a beam of light, by sound
energy, interacting with the light within a volume of matter.
ACTIVE MEDIA
The material, in which most of the atoms can be placed in
an excited state (i.e., population inversion state), so that an
electromagnetic wave of the proper frequency passing through it
can stimulate a cascade of photons.
BIREFRINGENT
The property of dividing a ray of light into two polarized
rays (known as the ordinary and extraordinary rays), the directions
of polarization of the rays being at right angles to each other.
COHERENT LIGHT
A single frequency of light. A light beam in which the electric
vector at any point in it is related to that at any other point
by a definite, continuous sinusoidal function.
DIFFRACTION
The bending of a light ray in passing the edge formed
by contiguous opaque and transparent areas.
ELECTRO-OPTIC
The effect, on the properties of a beam of light, by
an electrical field, interacting with the light within a volume
of matter.
GLOW DISCHARGE
A type of discharge in which a uniform glow is created through
the entire volume of a gaseous active media rather than a channel
or spark discharge through a restricted portion of the active media.
INTERFERENCE
The interaction of two light waves which, as a result
of their relative phases, produce a cancellation or reinforcement
of wave energy.
LASER
A device for generating a very narrow, intense beam of coherent
light. The name is derived from the initial letters of "Light Amplification
by Stimulated Emission of Radiation". In the emission of ordinary
light the molecules or atoms of the source emit their radiation
independently of each other, and consequently there is no definite
phase relationship among the vibrations in the resultant beam.
The light is incoherent. The laser, by means of an optical resonator,
forces the atoms of the material within the resonator to radiate
in phase. The emitted radiation is stimulated by the excitation
of atoms to a higher energy level by means of energy supplied to
the device.
LIGHT
In this class, light includes not only optical wavelengths, i.e.,
that part of the spectrum extending from the near infrared, through
the visible, to the ultraviolet, but also includes those portions
of the spectrum which extends from the near infrared through the
long wavelength, far infrared, and from the ultraviolet to X-rays
and gamma rays at the shortest wavelengths.
LIGHT, VISIBLE LIGHT
Visible light is radiation which stimulates the optical receptors
of the eye, and having a wavelength from 3850 to 7600 Angstrom units.
The term light is used to refer to wavelengths in the above-mentioned
range and, often, also to refer to the ranges immediately adjacent, i.e.,
the ultraviolet and infrared ranges which are nonvisible.
MODE
One of several states of electromagnetic wave oscillation
that may be sustained in a given resonant system. Each type of
vibration is designated as a particular mode, and has its own particular
frequency and electric and magnetic field configurations.
OPTICS, OPTICAL
The science of light and vision and the construction
of optical instruments.
OPTICAL ELEMENT
A structure which performs a basic optical function,
i.e., the structure when exposed to or placed in the path of a group
of light rays will cause a deviation of the rays in accordance with
a regular pattern, a blocking of the rays, or a modification in
the character or properties of the light.
OPTICAL FIBER
A light guidance system that is cylindrical in shape.
The fiber relies upon modal transmission to transmit light along
its axial length. Light enters one end of the fiber and emerges
from the opposite end with only minimal loss.
OPTICAL SYSTEM
A combination of two or more similar or diverse optical elements
which are optically related.
REFLECTION
Light striking a surface and returning back into the medium
from which it came.
REFRACTION
The deviation of light which results when a ray of light passes
obliquely from a medium of one density to a medium of another density.
RESONANT CAVITY
A mode-selecting low-loss optical structure in which
the laser action takes place by the build-up of electromagnetic
field intensity upon multiple reflection.
SEMICONDUCTOR
An electronic conductor, with resistivity between that
of metals and that of insulators, in which the electrical charge
carrier concentration increases with increasing temperature over
some temperature range. Over most of the practical temperature
range, the resistance has a negative temperature coefficient. Certain
semiconductors possess two types of carriers, negative electrons
and positive holes. The charge carriers are usually electrons,
but there may be also some ionic conductivity.
SEMICONDUCTOR LASER
A light-emitting diode that uses stimulated emission
to produce a coherent light output.
SPECTRUM
The band of colors produced by separating a beam of white
light into its component frequencies.
THIN FILM
A film of optically transparent material, usually deposited
by sputtering or evaporation, that may be made in a pattern on a
substrate or used as insulation between successive layers of components,
and generally on the order of a few wavelengths thick.
THIN FILM WAVEGUIDE
A thin dielectric guide film of high refractive index formed
adjacent to a substrate or support region of lower refractive index.
The thin film relies upon modal transmission to transmit light
along its length. Light enters one end of the thin film where it
is processed (e.g., modulated or switched) and emerges from the opposite
end.
WAVEGUIDE
A system of material boundaries capable of guiding electromagnetic
wave. A transmission line comprising a hollow conducting tube within
which electromagnetic waves are propagated on a solid dielectric
or dielectric-filled conductor.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein coherent light is generated in an
inverted medium without the use of cavity feedback.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein laser action is accomplished by sending
a relativistic electron beam through a spatially periodic transverse magnetic
field.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter in which the coherent light is generated
as a direct result of the excitation of stimulated Raman scattering.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein the wavelength of the generated light
is generally greater than 10 microns.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein the wavelength of the generated light
is generally less than 400 nanometers (.4 microns).
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein means is provided for controlling
some characteristic or parameter of the output beam, such as its amplitude,
frequency, pulse rate, direction, etc., and wherein the control
is effected prior to the beam"s actual departure from the
resonant cavity of the laser.
Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and
Elements, appropriate subclasses for optical devices such
as modulators, beam scanners, etc., which may be used as light control devices.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Subject matter wherein the beam control device alters the
losses of a laser cavity for the purpose of generating giant pulses.
This subclass is indented under subclass 10. Subject matter wherein the Q-switch is made of a passive
material which exhibits an absorptivity that changes with increasing
irradiance.
This subclass is indented under subclass 10. Subject matter wherein the beam control device includes
a material which exhibits an electro-optic effect and has some means
of applying an electric field across that material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 10. Subject matter wherein the beam control device includes
a material which exhibits an acousto-optic effect and provides some
means for creating an acoustic wave within that material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 10. Subject matter wherein the Q-switched laser includes more
than one Q-switch, either of the same type or of different types.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Subject matter wherein means is provided for applying to
the laser resonator a time-varying perturbation at or near the frequency
which corresponds to the average axial mode spacing of the laser,
so as to establish a phase relationship between the oscillatory
laser modes, resulting in a laser output in the form of a periodic
pulse train whose repetition rate is equal to the frequency of the
perturbation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Subject matter wherein means is provided for either enhancing
or suppressing particular modes of oscillation within the resonant
cavity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Subject matter including an optical device which has an
output that does not rise or fall in direct proportion to the input.
This subclass is indented under subclass 21. Subject matter in which the nonlinear device provides an
output beam whose frequency is a multiple of the frequency of the
input beam.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Subject matter including means for providing a directional
scan of the output beam as it exits the laser cavity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Subject matter wherein means is provided for selection or
variation of pulse characteristic, i.e., pulse shape, pulse repetition
rate, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Subject matter wherein means is provided internal of the
resonant cavity for modifying some characteristic of the laser output
beam so that it varies in step with the instantaneous value of a
modulating wave or signal.
Amplifiers,
subclass 4.3 , subclass 7.51 for laser modulators in which the means
modifying the output beam is positioned external of the resonant cavity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Subject matter comprising a specific electrical component
or a group of electrical components that control a light beam.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.01. Subject matter wherein a fraction of an output signal
from the specific electrical component or group of electrical components
is returned to input.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.01. Subject matter wherein the specific electrical component
or group of electrical components is a source of power for the coherent
light generator.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.01. Subject matter wherein an electrical component that (1)
emits or collects electrons or ions or (2) controls electron or
ion movement by means of an electric field for a beam control device
and has specific details.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.01. Subject matter wherein the electrical component or collection
of electrical components are specially designed to regulate a magnitude
of an optical output.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.01. Subject matter wherein the electrical component or collection
of electrical components are specifically designed to regulate a
supply of current or voltage to the coherent light generator.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.01. Subject matter wherein the electrical component or collection
of electrical components are specifically designed to regulate angular
relationship between current and voltage.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Subject matter comprising means for maintaining a constant
level for a parameter or characteristic of an optical output.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.02. Subject matter wherein a resonant cavity is controlled
to maintain a constant level of optical output stabilization.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.02. Subject matter wherein a parameter or characteristic of
phase is controlled to maintain a constant level of optical stabilization.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.02. Subject matter wherein the output of the laser is pulsed
and some parameter characteristic of the pulse is stabilized such
as pulse width, pulse repetition rate, etc.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter including means to overcome an effect which
is deleterious to the operation of the laser.
(1)
Note. For example, means for compensating for parasitic oscillation,
thermal lensing, etc.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter including means for controlling the temperature
of the laser or the temperature of its component parts.
This subclass is indented under subclass 38.1. Subject matter wherein the particular component circuitry
returns a fraction of an output signal to an input.
This subclass is indented under subclass 38.1. Subject matter wherein the particular component circuitry
is used to drive or control a laser function of the coherent light
generator.
This subclass is indented under subclass 38.1. Subject matter wherein the particular component circuitry
is a source of power for the coherent light generator.
This subclass is indented under subclass 38.1. Subject matter wherein the particular component circuitry
contains details of a conducting element that (1) emits or collects
electrons or ions or (2) controls the movement of electrons or
ions by means of an electric field for the coherent light generator.
This subclass is indented under subclass 38.1. Subject matter wherein the particular component circuitry
controls flashing means of the coherent light generator.
This subclass is indented under subclass 38.1. Subject matter wherein the particular component circuitry
regulates the supply of current or voltage to the coherent light
generator.
This subclass is indented under subclass 38.1. Subject matter wherein the particular component circuitry
causes the coherent light generator to cease operation or change
an operating characteristic in response to a sensed nonstandard
operating condition.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter comprising specific circuitry for operating
components of the coherent light generator.
(1)
Note. This subclass includes pulse forming networks for driving
a flash lamp, Q-switch, or modulator.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein the media in which most of the atoms
can be placed in an excited state (i.e., population inversion state), so
that an electromagnetic wave of the proper frequency passing through
the media can stimulate a cascade of photons, is specified.
This subclass is indented under subclass 39. Subject matter where the solid active media is an electrically
nonconductive composition of matter having definite crystalline
structure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 41. Subject matter wherein color centers are formed within the
crystal material which consist of displaced electrons that are trapped
in regions of positive charge or of a "hole" or region of electron
deficiency, which behaves like a "negative electron" or "positive
hole", which can be trapped or localized in well-defined sites and
which can impart color to the crystal material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 43.01. Subject matter wherein the semiconductor includes a p-n
junction which converts forward-bias electrical input directly into
coherent optical output power via a process of stimulating emmission
in the region near the junction.
Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors,
Solid-State Diodes),
subclasses 13 , 79 through 103, and 918 for incoherent light emitting
injection luminescent devices, and subclasses 80 through 85 for
semiconductor light emitting sources combined with semiconductor
light responsive devices.
This subclass is indented under subclass 44.01. Subject matter wherein the semiconductor includes a layer
that has a predetermined angle with respect to an edge or a facet
at which a crystal is sliced.
This subclass is indented under subclass 44.01. Subject matter wherein the semiconductor includes a layer
specifically designed to hold carrier and/or radiation
within a boundary.
This subclass is indented under subclass 45.01. Subject matter wherein the layer has a lattice constant
different from that of the semiconductor substrate.
This subclass is indented under subclass 45.01. Subject matter wherein the layer consists of a series
of alternating epitaxial layers of two types of material, each layer
having a thickness below a critical thickness.
This subclass is indented under subclass 44.01. Subject matter wherein the p-n junction of the semiconductor
is specifically designed to control a current flow in an active
region.
This subclass is indented under subclass 46.01. Subject matter wherein the p-n junction include layers
that are structured in different orders or positions.
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