Patents Assigned to Spectra-Physics
  • Patent number: 5033847
    Abstract: A portion of first reference light plane is intercepted by a first one of a pair of angularly oriented reflective surfaces and reflected by the second of the pair of reflective surfaces as a second reference light plane at a selectable angle relative to the first reference light plane. The first and second reflective surfaces are movably mounted such that the first reflective surface can be rotated about a first axis coincident with or parallel to an incidence line in the first reflective surface which receives the first light plane and the second reflective surface can be rotated about a second axis parallel to but spaced from the first axis. The first and second reflective surfaces are mounted such that when the first reflective surface moves through an angle of a/2 degrees, the second reflective surface moves through an angle of a degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Hamblin, Edward E. Hart
  • Patent number: 5033848
    Abstract: A pendulous compensator for use in a light beam projector including a light beam source comprises first and second upper pulleys spaced from one another and secured to the light beam projector. First and second lower pulleys are positioned beneath the first and second upper pulleys and supported by filament strands, tapes, loops or the like extending around the upper and lower pulleys. A pendulum mirror is secured to and supported between the first and second lower pulleys for receiving a light beam from the light beam source and reflecting the light beam in a desired angular orientation relative to horizontal. The first and second lower pulleys in the pendulum mirror are supported such that the pendulum mirror is moved to compensate for tilting of the light beam projector. The first and second upper pulleys or a folding mirror may be controlled to select a grade angle relative to horizontal of a projected light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Hart, Peter S. Winckler, Douglas B. Monnin
  • Patent number: 5029174
    Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing the output frequencies of a multimode laser of the type which operates in at least three optical cavity modes includes detecting the intermodulation product frequency, using a suitable photodetector. The optical cavity modes may be either purely longitudinal for a single transverse mode, or may include radiation from multiple transverse cavity excitations, also with possible longitudinal plurality. The detector output is monitored for the intermodulation product beat signal which is contained in the detector current at the differences of the primary difference frequencies of the optical modes. A signal derived from the frequency of the intermodulation product term is compared with a reference signal, and the resulting error signal is driven to zero by varying the optical length of the laser oscillator cavity in response to the error signal, thereby causing the operating modes of the laser to be stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Anderson, Gary W. DeBell, Robert J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5026157
    Abstract: Motion damping apparatus is provided for use in a light beam projector including a light beam and a pendulous compensator adapted to movably support a mirror for deflecting the light beam to compensate for tilting of the projector. The apparatus comprises at least one motion damping plate formed of an electrically conducting material and coupled to the pendulous compensator. Magnets are positioned adjacent the damping plate for generating a magnetic field through which the plate passes as the result of motion of the pendulous compensator such that the motion is damped by the interaction of magnetic fields produced by the magnets and by eddy currents generated in the plate by its movement within a magnetic field. The motion damping plate preferably is curvilinear and coupled to the pendulous compensator to move in substantial conformity with a corresponding curvilinear plane defined by the movement of the pendulous compensator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter S. Winckler
  • Patent number: 5025952
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein several gas resupply valves for replenishment of lost gas in gas lasers in general and argon ion lasers in particular. The first embodiment uses a valve which controls flow of gas into a metering volume. The metering volume has an aperture therein which is microscopically small and which has a diffusion constant for gas moving through the aperture which is less than the time the valve is held open. The second embodiment uses the same general structure, but separates the soft sealing member of the valve from the solenoid core which moves to open and close the valve. The soft sealing member is attached to the valve body and supported above a valve seat surrounding the opening of the metering volume. The third embodiment uses a thin diaphragm which overlies a flat surface of the valve body in which are formed an input port and an output port. A solenoid applies pressure against the diaphragm to cause it to flatten against the flat surface thereby sealing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Carlson, Mike Green, Mike Miller, Rudy Nissen, Steve Sheng
  • Patent number: 5021646
    Abstract: An electrophoresis instrument includes a capillary tube mounted in an air cooled cartridge. The cartridge also supports a spherical lens which is part of the optical detection apparatus. The cartridge rests in a manifold which includes the sample and buffer reservoirs. The temperature of the capillary tube is controlled by measuring the electrical resistance of the capillary tube during the electrophoresis process and then cooling or heating the cartridge by circulating temperature controlled air over the tube. The optical path associated with the instrument is a fiber optic bundle bifurcated close to dual detectors into a reference arm and a sample arm so as to provide similar reference and sample optical paths. The instrument may be used for controlling temperature in gradient electrophoresis and detecting neutral markers in determining electro-osmotic flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot R. Weinberger, Thomas W. Hoppe
  • Patent number: 5022041
    Abstract: A commercial near resonant laser system with a trivalent rate earth ion doped solid state host, such as Nd:YAG, is pumped at an energy sufficient to excite the electrons from the ground level directly to the upper laser level. The laser system is then tuned to a transition from the upper laser level back to the ground level to produce high power output beams. Because the ground level will include a plurality of "Stark split levels", the necessary population inversions can be maintained and laser energy generated. However, the difference between the Stark split level from which the electrons are excited to the upper laser level, and the Stark split level to which the electrons decay in the light producing transition from the upper laser level, is slight. Thus, energy dissipated in heat as electrons decay in non-lasing transitions is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics
    Inventor: Ralph R. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5022043
    Abstract: A large number of semiconductor laser sources coupled with tapered fibers provide a high energy density output for the purpose of longitudinal pumping of a solid state gain medium in an unstable resonator. Each semiconductor laser source generates a beam of radiation at the pump wavelength having characteristic lateral and transverse widths. A plurality of light transmitting fibers, each fiber having an input end and an output end, is coupled with the semiconductor laser sources for delivering the light from a remote location to pump the gain medium. The input end of each fiber has a cross-section substantially matching the transverse and lateral widths of the beams generated by the corresponding semiconductor laser source, and is coupled to receive the beam of radiation generated by a corresponding semiconductor laser source. The output ends of the light transmitting fibers are bundled to deliver the beams coupled into the fibers as a composite light source having a high energy density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics
    Inventor: Ralph R. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5020073
    Abstract: Alignment of a birefringent tunable laser gain medium characterized by a first face and a second face cut at Brewster's angle so that a plane of polarization is defined. The gain medium is secured in the optical path by a rotatable member having an axis of rotation that is normal to the Brewster faces of the optical device. Coupled with the rotatable member is a support allowing adjustment of the angular position about the axis of rotation fo the rotatable member. An operator adjusts the angular position of the rotatable member until the C-axis of the gain medium lies in the plane of polarization. Even though the C-axis may not be parallel to the direction of polarization, the depolarization effects of the misalignment are eliminated by proper adjustment of the angular position relative to the plane of polarization. A tunable, solid state laser using the alignment apparatus with a birefringent filter achieves greater linear tuning range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics
    Inventors: Anthony J. Alfrey, James A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5018152
    Abstract: A switched cavity laser system which includes a resonant cavity, a gain medium within the resonant cavity, a cavity switch and an output coupler. A controllable pump energy source delivers pump energy to the gain medium in response to an energy control signal. A detector is coupled with the gain medium and generates a detector signal in response to the amount of population inversion exhibited by the gain medium. A control circuit is coupled to the detector and controllable pump energy source for generating the energy control signal in response to the detector signal. As the switching rate of the Q-switch is varied, the energy control signal varies to ensure a constant level of population inversion between each pulse. In this matter, a prespecified pulse energy is achieved for each pulse independent of the switching rate of the Q-switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Linne, Robert W. Johnson, Richard G. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5016251
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for precisely controlling long-pulse beam intensity in a laser device having a gain medium and a Q-switch disposed in a resonant cavity, and having a pump for supplying constant pulses of energy to the gain medium. The apparatus provides a Q-switch controller for adjustably controlling a timing window during which the Q-switch is open, to define the amount of pump energy coupled into the long pulses, and consequently the intensity of the beam. The controller has an input device for entering a desired length of the timing window, and a display device for displaying an indication of the length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra Physics, LPD
    Inventor: John D'Arcy
  • Patent number: 5010921
    Abstract: A conventional injection valve, such as used in high performance liquid chromatography apparatus, having six ports and three channels for connecting the ports in two different positions, is modified so that one of the channels is longer than the other two. In this way, when the valve is switched to the load position, one of the ports is always connected to the channel prior to the other port being connected. This improvement in the valve makes the valve more accurate and reduces undesirable mixing of sample and mobile phase in the valve when injecting small quantities of sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Nohl
  • Patent number: 5008518
    Abstract: A data gathering system for use in a checkout counter to determine information relating to products to be purchased and to provide such information to a cash register system includes a scale supported within the checkout counter for determining weights of products presented to the data gathering system. The scale includes a subplatter located below the upper surface of the checkout counter. An optical scanning arrangement is supported on the subplatter for reading coded labels on the products. A common interface circuit is responsive to both the scale and the optical scanning arrangement, for providing weight data and coded label data to the cash register system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Taussig, Blake L. Isaacs
  • Patent number: 5007691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sweeping a laser beam in a laser scanner is disclosed wherein a laser beam traveling along a path from a laser beam source is directed upon a scanner mirror which reflects the beam into scan pattern mirrors to project a scanning pattern for each sweep of the laser beam. A rotary actuator supports and rotates the scanner mirror to sweep the laser beam onto the scan pattern mirrors and a linear actuator in turn supports and linearly moves the rotary actuator and scanner mirror generally along the path of the laser beam to vary the point of focus of the laser beam and thereby expand the effective depth of field of the laser scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohan L. Bobba, Howard H. Nojiri
  • Patent number: 5005670
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for installing a data gathering system in a checkout counter such that it extends slightly above the surface of the counter. The data gathering system defines an entry side and an exit side. Products to be processed by the system are passed from the counter to the system over the entry side of the system, processed and then passed from the system to the counter over the exit side of the system. The counter adjacent the entry side of the system is elevated such that products processed by the system pass along a downwardly stepped path from the elevated portion of the counter down to the system and then from the system down to the counter on the other side of the system. Preferably, counter elevation is performed by a tapered trim strip which is secured across the counter adjacent the entry side of the data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard H. Nojiri
  • Patent number: 5005329
    Abstract: A soft compliant seal is attached to either an anchored or a loose reinforcement ring to provide a non-hermetic seal against liquids or particulates in order to maintain a space between two windows substantially free of all foreign matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore H. Schorr
  • Patent number: 5002662
    Abstract: An improved liquid flow check valve using a ball and seat wherein the seat is made of sintered ceramic. The improved valve will operate in an environment of acetonitrile and water without sticking shut, thereby providing more stable liquid flow rates in liquid chromatography systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin L. Ledtje, Aubrey D. Long, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5002371
    Abstract: A low coupling beam splitter with no cross-polarization error or critical alignment tolerances is formed of a quartz piece having a first planar face in the optical path in the plane of the cross-polarization and at or near Brewster's angle to the beam. A second planar face is in the interior optical path in the plane of the cross-polarization and off of Brewster's angle to the beam, so that a majority of the component having the dominant polarization is transmitted along the optical path, while a small fraction of the component having the dominant polarization and a portion of the cross-polarized component are reflected along a first interior sample path. A third planar face is in the first interior sample path in the plane of the dominant polarization and at or near Brewster's angle to the reflected beam. Thus, a portion of the component having the dominant polarization is reflected as a sample beam, and the majority of the component having the cross-polarization is transmitted away from the sample beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra Physics, LPD
    Inventor: David L. Wright
  • Patent number: 5001406
    Abstract: The operating speed of a brushless DC motor is maintained at a desired speed by controlling the voltage level of power supplied to the motor. The motor includes a rotor carrying permanent magnets, cooperating electromagnets contained in a stationary armature and Hall effect devices for sensing the operating speed and position of the rotor. Circuitry connected to the Hall effect devices generates angular sector signals corresponding to activation periods or periods during which power is applied to the electromagnets to operate the motor. A processor connected to one of the Hall effect devices monitors the operating speed of the motor and generates an error signal representative of the difference between the operating speed of the motor and a desired reference speed. A power supply is controlled by the processor to generate power having a voltage level corresponding to the error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald S. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5001716
    Abstract: A Q-switch for a laser having a resonant cavity including an output coupler, a gain medium and a retro-reflecting mirror is mounted in the resonant cavity between the gain medium and the retro-reflecting mirror. The Q-switch comprises a polarizer and a phase retarding element (such as a Pockels cell) which includes a birefringent substrate for inducing a controllable phase retardation in the cavity mode in response to an applied electric field. A tiltable mount supports the phase retarding element so that the lasing axis lies essentially in a plane of the crystallographic axis 45.degree. from the direction of polarization, and lies at an adjustable angle relative to the crystallographic axis. A control circuit supplies an applied electric field within the substrate having a first magnitude in a first state and a second magnitude in a seocnd state. In the first state, the phase retarding element induces 90.degree. rotation in a round trip for the cavity mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Spectra Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertram C. Johnson, Richard L. Herbst, Glen R. Blevins