Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Loftus

Thomas H. Loftus 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: 10535980
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator device includes an atomic oscillator, a controlled oscillator, a resonance controller, and a cold-atom clock output. The atomic oscillator comprises a two-dimensional optical cooling region (2D OCR) for providing a source of atoms and a three-dimensional optical cooling region (3D OCR) for cooling and/or trapping the atoms emitted by the 2D OCR. The atomic oscillator comprises a microwave cavity surrounding the 3D OCR for exciting an atomic resonance. The controlled oscillator produces an output frequency. The resonance controller is for steering the output frequency of the controlled oscillator based on the output frequency and the atomic resonance as measured using an atomic resonance measurement. The cold-atom clock output is configured as being the output frequency of the controlled oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Boyd, Adam T. Black, Thang Q. Tran, Matthew D. Swallows, Brian R. Patton, Miao Zhu, Thomas H. Loftus, Mark A. Kasevich
  • Publication number: 20190385773
    Abstract: A device for magnetic field generation includes a flux deliverer and a field shaper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas H. Loftus, Mark A. Kasevich, Arman Cingoz, Matthew Cashen
  • Patent number: 10460917
    Abstract: A system for ion pumping including an anode, a cathode, and a magnet. The magnet comprises a Halbach magnet array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Chandra S. Raman, Thomas H. Loftus, Mark A. Kasevich, Thang Q. Tran, William D. Weis
  • Patent number: 10446307
    Abstract: A device for magnetic field generation includes a flux deliverer and a field shaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Loftus, Mark A. Kasevich, Arman Cingoz, Matthew Cashen
  • Publication number: 20180342339
    Abstract: A device for magnetic field generation includes a flux deliverer and a field shaper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas H. Loftus, Mark A. Kasevich, Arman Cingoz, Matthew Cashen
  • Publication number: 20180321641
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator device includes an atomic oscillator, a controlled oscillator, a resonance controller, and a cold-atom clock output. The atomic oscillator comprises a two-dimensional optical cooling region (2D OCR) for providing a source of atoms and a three-dimensional optical cooling region (3D OCR) for cooling and/or trapping the atoms emitted by the 2D OCR. The atomic oscillator comprises a microwave cavity surrounding the 3D OCR for exciting an atomic resonance. The controlled oscillator produces an output frequency. The resonance controller is for steering the output frequency of the controlled oscillator based on the output frequency and the atomic resonance as measured using an atomic resonance measurement. The cold-atom clock output is configured as being the output frequency of the controlled oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Martin M. Boyd, Adam T. Black, Thang Q. Tran, Matthew D. Swallows, Brian R. Patton, Miao Zhu, Thomas H. Loftus, Mark A. Kasevich
  • Publication number: 20170345630
    Abstract: A system for ion pumping including an anode, a cathode, and a magnet. The magnet comprises a Halbach magnet array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Chandra S. Raman, Thomas H. Loftus, Mark A. Kasevich, Thang Q. Tran, William D. Weis
  • Publication number: 20160183356
    Abstract: The device for producing laser-cooled atoms comprises a two dimensional trap or a three-dimensional trap, or a combination of two- and three-dimensional traps. The two-dimensional trap comprises: three or more permanent magnets arranged around a perimeter of a loop, wherein a plane of the loop is perpendicular to a free axis of the two-dimensional atom trap, and the three or more permanent magnets bracket an internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap; and one or more laser beam input ports enabling access for one or more laser beams to the internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas H. Loftus, Artyom Vitouchkine, Michael R. Matthews, Adam T. Black, Igor Teper, Leo W. Hollberg, Todd L. Gustavson, Brent C. Young
  • Patent number: 8921764
    Abstract: The device for producing laser-cooled atoms comprises a two dimensional trap or a three-dimensional trap, or a combination of two- and three-dimensional traps. The two-dimensional trap comprises: three or more permanent magnets arranged around a perimeter of a loop, wherein a plane of the loop is perpendicular to a free axis of the two-dimensional atom trap, and the three or more permanent magnets bracket an internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap; and one or more laser beam input ports enabling access for one or more laser beams to the internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Loftus, Artyom Vitouchkine, Michael R. Matthews, Adam T. Black, Igor Teper, Leo W. Hollberg, Todd L. Gustavson, Brent C. Young
  • Patent number: 8710428
    Abstract: An atomic slower comprises a bore and one or more tapered permanent magnets configured to produce an axial magnetic field along an axis of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Loftus, Artyom Vitouchkine, Leo Hollberg
  • Publication number: 20140061454
    Abstract: The device for producing laser-cooled atoms comprises a two dimensional trap or a three-dimensional trap, or a combination of two- and three-dimensional traps. The two-dimensional trap comprises: three or more permanent magnets arranged around a perimeter of a loop, wherein a plane of the loop is perpendicular to a free axis of the two-dimensional atom trap, and the three or more permanent magnets bracket an internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap; and one or more laser beam input ports enabling access for one or more laser beams to the internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Loftus, Artyom Vitouchkine, Michael R. Matthews, Adam T. Black, Igor Teper, Leo W. Hollberg, Todd L. Gustavson, Brent C. Young
  • Patent number: 8526110
    Abstract: A ring-laser system that includes a plurality of ring-laser gain elements and a spectral-beam-combining output stage configured to combine a plurality of beams coming from the gain elements into an output beam and that includes chromatic-dispersion compensation. In some embodiments, the output stage includes a plurality of highly reflective dielectric-coated focussing elements. In some embodiments, the output stage includes a plurality of high-efficiency dielectric-coated grating elements. In some embodiments, the output stage includes a mostly reflective but partially transmissive output mirror and a highly reflective beam-reversing mirror configured to reflect a majority of a backward-traveling signal beam such that it becomes forward traveling. In some embodiments, each gain element further includes a photonic-crystal-rod power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Honea, Thomas H. Loftus, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8472763
    Abstract: A method and apparatus use a photonic-crystal fiber having a very large core while maintaining a single transverse mode. In some fiber lasers and amplifiers having large cores problems exist related to energy being generated at multiple-modes (i.e., polygamy), and of mode hopping (i.e., promiscuity) due to limited control of energy levels and fluctuations. The problems of multiple-modes and mode hopping result from the use of large-diameter waveguides, and are addressed by the invention. This is especially true in lasers using large amounts of energy (i.e., lasers in the one-megawatt or more range). By using multiple small waveguides in parallel, large amounts of energy can be passed through a laser, but with better control such that the aforementioned problems can be reduced. An additional advantage is that the polarization of the light can be maintained better than by using a single fiber core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Anping Liu, Eric C. Honea, Charles A. Lemaire, Roy D. Mead, Christopher D. Brooks, Andrew J. W. Brown, Charles E. Hamilton, Thomas H. Loftus, Fabio Di Teodoro
  • Patent number: 8179594
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for spectral-beam combining of light from a plurality of high-power lasers (e.g., fiber MOPA lasers) that, in some embodiments, use substantially identical diffraction gratings in a 1-D non-parallel, mutually compensating configuration to combine non-parallel converging input beams in one plane each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, an output grating and one or more input gratings in a 1-D parallel, mutually compensating configuration combine non-parallel input beams in one plane into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, a 2-D plurality of input gratings in a non-parallel configuration combine a plurality of non-parallel input beams not in one plane each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a set of converging beams in one plane directed towards an output grating that compensates for chromatic dispersions introduced by the input gratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Tidwell, Thomas H. Loftus, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 7535631
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for spectral-beam combining light from a plurality of high-power fiber lasers that, in some embodiments, use two substantially identical diffraction gratings in a parallel, mutually compensating configuration to combine a plurality of separate parallel input beams each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, a single diffraction grating is used to combine a plurality of different wavelengths, wherein the input laser beams are obtained from very narrow linewidth sources to reduce chromatic dispersion. In some embodiments, diagnostics and adjustments of wavelengths and/or positions and angles are made dynamically in real time to maintain the combination of the plurality input beams into a single high-quality output beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. W. Brown, Eric C. Honea, Thomas H. Loftus, Roy D. Mead, Charles E. Hamilton, Anping Liu, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 7233442
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for spectral-beam combining light from a plurality of high-power fiber lasers that, in some embodiments, use two substantially identical diffraction gratings in a parallel, mutually compensating configuration to combine a plurality of separate parallel input beams each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, a single diffraction grating is used to combine a plurality of different wavelengths, wherein the input laser beams are obtained from very narrow linewidth sources to reduce chromatic dispersion. In some embodiments, diagnostics and adjustments of wavelengths and/or positions and angles are made dynamically in real time to maintain the combination of the plurality input beams into a single high-quality output beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Aculight Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. W. Brown, Eric C. Honea, Thomas H. Loftus, Roy D. Mead, Charles E. Hamilton, Anping Liu, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 7199924
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for spectral-beam combining light from a plurality of high-power fiber lasers that, in some embodiments, use two substantially identical diffraction gratings in a parallel, mutually compensating configuration to combine a plurality of separate parallel input beams each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, a single diffraction grating is used to combine a plurality of different wavelengths, wherein the input laser beams are obtained from very narrow linewidth sources to reduce chromatic dispersion. In some embodiments, diagnostics and adjustments of wavelengths and/or positions and angles are made dynamically in real time to maintain the combination of the plurality input beams into a single high-quality output beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Aculight Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. W. Brown, Eric C. Honea, Thomas H. Loftus, Roy D. Mead, Charles E. Hamilton, Anping Liu, Charles A. Lemaire