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).

  • Patent number: 11357458
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Publication number: 20200261042
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Patent number: 10508998
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Patent number: 9986627
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Patent number: 9983151
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Publication number: 20170347439
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Lawrence Livemore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Patent number: 9706631
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Patent number: 9476747
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, John C. Post, Edwin Jones
  • Publication number: 20160161315
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, John C. Post, Edwin Jones
  • Patent number: 9205463
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Patent number: 9166355
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Messerly, Jay W. Dawson, Christopher P. J. Barty, David J. Gibson, Matthew A. Prantil, Eric Cormier
  • Publication number: 20140376697
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Patent number: 8369480
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Publication number: 20130003924
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, Frederic V. Hartemann, Dennis P. McNabb, Jason A. Pruet
  • Patent number: 8335420
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond J. Beach, Jay W. Dawson, Michael J. Messerly, Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Patent number: 8068522
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Patent number: 7907810
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Messerly, Jay W. Dawson, Raymond J. Beach, Christopher P. J. Barty
  • Patent number: 7564241
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, Frederic V. Hartemann, Dennis P. McNabb, Jason A. Pruet
  • Patent number: 6873454
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Christopher P. J. Barty, Igor Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 6804045
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Christopher P. J. Barty