Patents by Inventor Christopher P. J. Barty
Christopher P. J. Barty has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11357458Abstract: Techniques are provided for the production of high-contrast, x-ray and/or gamma-ray radiographic images. The images have minimal contributions from object-dependent background radiation. The invention utilizes the low divergence, quasi-monoenergetic, x-ray or gamma-ray output from a laser-Compton source in combination with x-ray optical technologies to produce a converging x-ray or gamma-ray beam with which to produce a high-contrast, shadowgraph of a specific object. The object to be imaged is placed within the path of the converging beam between the x-ray optical assembly and the focus of the x-ray beam produced by that assembly. The beam is then passed through an optically thick pinhole located at the focus of the beam. Downstream of the pinhole, the inverted shadowgraph of the object is then recorded by an appropriate 2D detector array.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Publication number: 20200261042Abstract: Techniques are provided for the production of high-contrast, x-ray and/or gamma-ray radiographic images. The images have minimal contributions from object-dependent background radiation. The invention utilizes the low divergence, quasi-monoenergetic, x-ray or gamma-ray output from a laser-Compton source in combination with x-ray optical technologies to produce a converging x-ray or gamma-ray beam with which to produce a high-contrast, shadowgraph of a specific object. The object to be imaged is placed within the path of the converging beam between the x-ray optical assembly and the focus of the x-ray beam produced by that assembly. The beam is then passed through an optically thick pinhole located at the focus of the beam. Downstream of the pinhole, the inverted shadowgraph of the object is then recorded by an appropriate 2D detector array.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Patent number: 10508998Abstract: High-contrast, subtraction, x-ray images of an object are produced via scanned illumination by a laser-Compton x-ray source. The spectral-angle correlation of the laser-Compton scattering process and a specially designed aperture and/or detector are utilized to produce/record a narrow beam of x-rays whose spectral content consists of an on-axis region of high-energy x-rays surrounded by a region of slightly lower-energy x-rays. The end point energy of the laser-Compton source is set so that the high-energy x-ray region contains photons that are above the k-shell absorption edge (k-edge) of a specific contrast agent or specific material within the object to be imaged while the outer region consists of photons whose energy is below the k-edge of the same contrast agent or specific material. Scanning the illumination and of the object by this beam will simultaneously record and map the above edge and below k-edge absorption response of the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Patent number: 9986627Abstract: A method of x-ray and gamma-ray generation via laser Compton scattering uses the interaction of a specially-formatted, highly modulated, long duration, laser pulse with a high-frequency train of high-brightness electron bunches to both create narrow bandwidth x-ray and gamma-ray sources and significantly increase the laser to Compton photon conversion efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Patent number: 9983151Abstract: Ultralow-dose, x-ray or gamma-ray imaging is based on fast, electronic control of the output of a laser-Compton x-ray or gamma-ray source (LCXS or LCGS). X-ray or gamma-ray shadowgraphs are constructed one (or a few) pixel(s) at a time by monitoring the LCXS or LCGS beam energy required at each pixel of the object to achieve a threshold level of detectability at the detector. An example provides that once the threshold for detection is reached, an electronic or optical signal is sent to the LCXS/LCGS that enables a fast optical switch that diverts, either in space or time the laser pulses used to create Compton photons. In this way, one prevents the object from being exposed to any further Compton x-rays or gamma-rays until either the laser-Compton beam or the object are moved so that a new pixel location may be illumination.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Publication number: 20170347439Abstract: A method of x-ray and gamma-ray generation via laser Compton scattering uses the interaction of a specially-formatted, highly modulated, long duration, laser pulse with a high-frequency train of high-brightness electron bunches to both create narrow bandwidth x-ray and gamma-ray sources and significantly increase the laser to Compton photon conversion efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: Lawrence Livemore National Security, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Patent number: 9706631Abstract: A method of x-ray and gamma-ray generation via laser Compton scattering uses the interaction of a specially-formatted, highly modulated, long duration, laser pulse with a high-frequency train of high-brightness electron bunches to both create narrow bandwidth x-ray and gamma-ray sources and significantly increase the laser to Compton photon conversion efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Patent number: 9476747Abstract: A laser-based mono-energetic gamma-ray source is used to provide non-destructive and non-intrusive, quantitative determination of the absolute amount of a specific isotope contained within pipe as part of a moving fluid or quasi-fluid material stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, John C. Post, Edwin Jones
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Publication number: 20160161315Abstract: A laser-based mono-energetic gamma-ray source is used to provide non-destructive and non-intrusive, quantitative determination of the absolute amount of a specific isotope contained within pipe as part of a moving fluid or quasi-fluid material stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, John C. Post, Edwin Jones
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Patent number: 9205463Abstract: A laser-based mono-energetic gamma-ray source is used to provide a rapid and unique, isotope specific method for sorting materials. The objects to be sorted are passed on a conveyor in front of a MEGa-ray beam which has been tuned to the nuclear resonance fluorescence transition of the desired material. As the material containing the desired isotope traverses the beam, a reduction in the transmitted MEGa-ray beam occurs. Alternately, the laser-based mono-energetic gamma-ray source is used to provide non-destructive and non-intrusive, quantitative determination of the absolute amount of a specific isotope contained within pipe as part of a moving fluid or quasi-fluid material stream.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Patent number: 9166355Abstract: A robust, compact optical pulse train source is described, with the capability of generating sub-picosecond micro-pulse sequences, which can be periodic as well as non-periodic, and at repetition rates tunable over decades of baseline frequencies, from MHz to multi-GHz regimes. The micro-pulses can be precisely controlled and formatted to be in the range of many ps in duration to as short as several fs in duration. The system output can be comprised of a continuous wave train of optical micro-pulses or can be programmed to provide gated bursts of macro-pulses, with each macro-pulse consisting of a specific number of micro-pulses or a single pulse picked from the higher frequency train at a repetition rate lower than the baseline frequency. These pulses could then be amplified in energy anywhere from the nJ to MJ range.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Michael J. Messerly, Jay W. Dawson, Christopher P. J. Barty, David J. Gibson, Matthew A. Prantil, Eric Cormier
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Publication number: 20140376697Abstract: A method of x-ray and gamma-ray generation via laser Compton scattering uses the interaction of a specially-formatted, highly modulated, long duration, laser pulse with a high-frequency train of high-brightness electron bunches to both create narrow bandwidth x-ray and gamma-ray sources and significantly increase the laser to Compton photon conversion efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Patent number: 8369480Abstract: A dual isotope notch observer for isotope identification, assay and imaging with mono-energetic gamma-ray sources includes a detector arrangement consists of three detectors downstream from the object under observation. The latter detector, which operates as a beam monitor, is an integrating detector that monitors the total beam power arriving at its surface. The first detector and the middle detector each include an integrating detector surrounding a foil. The foils of these two detectors are made of the same atomic material, but each foil is a different isotope, e.g., the first foil may comprise U235 and second foil may comprise U238. The integrating detectors surrounding these pieces of foil measure the total power scattered from the foil and can be similar in composition to the final beam monitor. Non-resonant photons will, after calibration, scatter equally from both foils.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Publication number: 20130003924Abstract: A dual isotope notch observer for isotope identification, assay and imaging with mono-energetic gamma-ray sources includes a detector arrangement consists of three detectors downstream from the object under observation. The latter detector, which operates as a beam monitor, is an integrating detector that monitors the total beam power arriving at its surface. The first detector and the middle detector each include an integrating detector surrounding a foil. The foils of these two detectors are made of the same atomic material, but each foil is a different isotope, e.g., the first foil may comprise U235 and second foil may comprise U238. The integrating detectors surrounding these pieces of foil measure the total power scattered from the foil and can be similar in composition to the final beam monitor. Non-resonant photons will, after calibration, scatter equally from both foils.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, Frederic V. Hartemann, Dennis P. McNabb, Jason A. Pruet
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Patent number: 8335420Abstract: Single, or near single transverse mode waveguide definition is produced using a single homogeneous medium to transport both the pump excitation light and generated laser light. By properly configuring the pump deposition and resulting thermal power generation in the waveguide device, a thermal focusing power is established that supports perturbation-stable guided wave propagation of an appropriately configured single or near single transverse mode laser beam and/or laser pulse.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Raymond J. Beach, Jay W. Dawson, Michael J. Messerly, Christopher P. J. Barty
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Patent number: 8068522Abstract: A grating pulse compressor configuration is introduced for increasing the optical dispersion for a given footprint and to make practical the application for chirped pulse amplification (CPA) to quasi-narrow bandwidth materials, such as Nd:YAG. The grating configurations often use cascaded pairs of gratings to increase angular dispersion an order of magnitude or more. Increased angular dispersion allows for decreased grating separation and a smaller compressor footprint.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
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Patent number: 7907810Abstract: A waveguide includes a cladding region that has a refractive index that is substantially uniform and surrounds a wave-guiding region that has an average index that is close to the index of the cladding. The wave-guiding region also contains a thin ring or series of rings that have an index or indices that differ significantly from the index of the cladding. The ring or rings enable the structure to guide light.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Michael J. Messerly, Jay W. Dawson, Raymond J. Beach, Christopher P. J. Barty
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Patent number: 7564241Abstract: The present invention utilizes novel laser-based, high-brightness, high-spatial-resolution, pencil-beam sources of spectrally pure hard x-ray and gamma-ray radiation to induce resonant scattering in specific nuclei, i.e., nuclear resonance fluorescence. By monitoring such fluorescence as a function of beam position, it is possible to image in either two dimensions or three dimensions, the position and concentration of individual isotopes in a specific material configuration. Such methods of the present invention material identification, spatial resolution of material location and ability to locate and identify materials shielded by other materials, such as, for example, behind a lead wall. The foundation of the present invention is the generation of quasimonochromatic high-energy x-ray (100's of keV) and gamma-ray (greater than about 1 MeV) radiation via the collision of intense laser pulses from relativistic electrons. Such a process as utilized herein, i.e.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, Frederic V. Hartemann, Dennis P. McNabb, Jason A. Pruet
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Patent number: 6873454Abstract: A hybrid chirped pulse amplification system wherein a short-pulse oscillator generates an oscillator pulse. The oscillator pulse is stretched to produce a stretched oscillator seed pulse. A pump laser generates a pump laser pulse. The stretched oscillator seed pulse and the pump laser pulse are directed into an optical parametric amplifier producing an optical parametric amplifier output amplified signal pulse and an optical parametric amplifier output unconverted pump pulse. The optical parametric amplifier output amplified signal pulse and the optical parametric amplifier output laser pulse are directed into a laser amplifier producing a laser amplifier output pulse. The laser amplifier output pulse is compressed to produce a recompressed hybrid chirped pulse amplification pulse.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, Igor Jovanovic
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Patent number: 6804045Abstract: A short pulse laser system uses dispersive optics in a chirped-beam amplification architecture to produce high peak power pulses and high peak intensities without the potential for intensity dependent damage to downstream optical components after amplification.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Christopher P. J. Barty