Accession Number:

ADD014104

Title:

Dielectric Ridge Waveguide Gas Laser Apparatus.

Descriptive Note:

Patent, Filed 23 Dec 87, patented 14 Mar 89,

Corporate Author:

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• DeMaria, Anthony J.
• Bridges, William

Report Date:

1989-03-14

Pagination or Media Count:

9.0

Abstract:

This patent relates to waveguide gas laser having a ridged dielectric substrate to form a gas filled region in which an electric discharge generates a lasing mode. These ridged waveguide configurations may be utilized in either a rectangular or circular guide structure. In the first embodiment, a rectangular waveguide has a plurality of periodically spaced metal electrodes on its upper and lower exterior surfaces. The upper and lower interior surfaces of the rectangular waveguide comprises a dielectric having a plurality of 60 ridges which extend along the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. The plurality of ridges are special periodically and are in alignment with the exterior electrode stripe. In a second embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal ridges are formed around the interior peripheral surface of the tubular waveguide. Both embodiments are designed to permit an optical mode to exit within the ridges. Thus, the apparatus can be used to couple the evanescent component of the optical mode to an adjacent optical mode in an adjacent ridge guide. This coupling will provide a phase locking mechanism for adjacent waveguide lasers which in turn may have high power applications. RHAW

Descriptors:

• *ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
• *ELECTRODES
• *GAS LASERS
• *WAVEGUIDES
• AXES
• EXITS
• EXTERNAL
• FILLING
• GASES
• HIGH POWER
• INTERNAL
• LASERS
• LENGTH
• LOCKING(MECHANICS)
• METALS
• OPTICAL PROPERTIES
• PATENTS
• RECTANGULAR BODIES
• REGIONS
• RIDGES
• SURFACES
• TUBULAR STRUCTURES

Subject Categories:

• Lasers and Masers
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment
• Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE