Optics Patents (Class 376/104)
  • Patent number: 12075550
    Abstract: Embodiments of a laser system having an extremely large number of small pulsed lasers for irradiating small targets in inertial confinement fusion experiments, high energy density physics experiments, and inertial fusion power plants is more flexible than existing laser systems. Embodiments facilitate finer control of critical features of laser pulses for inertial fusion, as well as significant reduction in development costs and expansion of the community involved in the research relative to existing laser systems. Embodiments produce smooth intensity profiles at the target, large bandwidth that is over two orders of magnitude greater than existing laser systems, and fine control over laser wavelengths, focal properties, temporal pulse shape, and illumination geometry. Properties of each of the small pulsed lasers are individually selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Logos Technologies HoldCo, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Michael Campbell, David Eimerl, William F. Krupke
  • Patent number: 11765811
    Abstract: Embodiments of a laser system having an extremely large number of small pulsed lasers for irradiating small targets in inertial confinement fusion experiments, high energy density physics experiments, and inertial fusion power plants is more flexible than existing laser systems. Embodiments facilitate finer control of critical features of laser pulses for inertial fusion, as well as significant reduction in development costs and expansion of the community involved in the research relative to existing laser systems. Embodiments produce smooth intensity profiles at the target, large bandwidth that is over two orders of magnitude greater than existing laser systems, and fine control over laser wavelengths, focal properties, temporal pulse shape, and illumination geometry. Properties of each of the small pulsed lasers are individually selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Logos Technologies HoldCo, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Michael Campbell, David Eimerl, William F. Krupke
  • Patent number: 11589432
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a change in a medium. A first method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium at least one upconverter including a gas for plasma ignition, with the upconverter being configured, upon exposure to initiation energy, to generate light for emission into the medium, and (2) apply the initiation energy from an energy source including the first wavelength ?1 to the medium, wherein the emitted light directly or indirectly produces the change in the medium. A second method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium an agent receptive to microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation, and (2) apply as an initiation energy the microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation by which the agent directly or indirectly generates emitted light in the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet range to produce at least one of physical and biological changes in the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC., DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Zakaryae Fathi, Ian Nicholas Stanton, Michael J. Therien, Paul Rath Stauffer, Paolo Maccarini, Katherine Sarah Hansen, Diane Renee Fels, Cory Robert Wyatt
  • Patent number: 11555977
    Abstract: An optical system may include a target, a laser source, and an optical lens assembly. The optical lens assembly may include a mounting flange mounted adjacent the laser source, an objective lens aligned between the laser source and the target, and at least one adjustment stage coupled between the mounting flange and the objective lens. The adjustment stage may include a ball joint having a ball joint body, a ball receiver tube, and adjustable fasteners coupling the ball joint body to the ball receiver tube. The adjustment stage may include a translation tube having ramps thereon, and adjustable fasteners coupled between the mounting flange and the translation tube. In addition, the adjustment stage may include the mounting flange having a threaded surface thereon, and a focus ring rotatably coupled to the threaded surface of the mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Corey, Steven F. Semenko
  • Patent number: 9723703
    Abstract: A laser-sustained plasma light source for transverse plasma pumping includes a pump source configured to generate pumping illumination, one or more illumination optical elements and a gas containment structure configured to contain a volume of gas. The one or more illumination optical elements are configured to sustain a plasma within the volume of gas of the gas containment structure by directing pump illumination along a pump path to one or more focal spots within the volume of gas. The one or more collection optical elements are configured to collect broadband radiation emitted by the plasma along a collection path. Further, the illumination optical elements are configured to define the pump path such that pump illumination impinges the plasma along a direction transverse to a direction of propagation of the emitted broadband light of the collection path such that the pump illumination is substantially decoupled from the emitted broadband radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Ilya Bezel, Anatoly Shchemelinin, Richard Solarz, Sebaek Oh, Matthew Derstine
  • Patent number: 9271383
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Fusion, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen James Howard, Michel Georges Laberge, Lon McIlwraith, Douglas Harvey Richardson, James Gregson
  • Patent number: 9232618
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a change in a medium. A first method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium at least one upconverter including a gas for plasma ignition, with the upconverter being configured, upon exposure to initiation energy, to generate light for emission into the medium, and (2) apply the initiation energy from an energy source including the first wavelength ?1 to the medium, wherein the emitted light directly or indirectly produces the change in the medium. A second method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium an agent receptive to microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation, and (2) apply as an initiation energy the microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation by which the agent directly or indirectly generates emitted light in the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet range to produce at least one of physical and biological changes in the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignees: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC, DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Zakaryae Fathi, Ian Nicholas Stanton, Michael J. Therien, Paul Rath Stauffer, Paolo MacCarini, Katherine Sarah Hansen, Diane Renee Fels, Cory Robert Wyatt, Mark Wesley Dewhirst
  • Patent number: 8073094
    Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic simulator that includes a plasma container. The magnetohydrodynamic simulator also includes an first ionizable gas substantially contained within the plasma container. In addition, the magnetohydrodynamic simulator also includes a first loop positioned adjacent to the plasma container, wherein the first loop includes a gap, a first electrical connection on a first side of the gap, a second electrical connection of a second side of the gap, and a first material having at least one of low magnetic susceptibility and high conductivity. The first loop can be made up from an assembly of one or a plethora or wire loop coils. In such cases, electrical connection is made through the ends of the coil wires. The magnetohydrodynamic simulator further includes an electrically conductive first coil wound about the plasma container and through the first loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Nassim Haramein
  • Publication number: 20100046686
    Abstract: A method for downhole generation of non-radioactive neutron radiation arranged so as to be able to generate reverberation, particularly gamma radiation, from the surroundings of a borehole, the method comprising the steps of: exciting laser light in a multistage laser light booster by means of a pump-type laser light source so as to form a pulsed laser light, the incoming light energy being concentrated in restricted laser light pulses representing a higher amount of light energy than that of the continuous flux of laser light; forming a drop of a neutron-enriched fluid within a space in a vacuum chamber; focusing the pulsed secondary laser light rays, which are directed toward the drop from substantially diametrically opposite directions, at a point in the drop, the drop consequently being compressed and heated so as to cause the neutron-enriched fluid in the drop to emit neutron radiation to the surroundings, thereby forming a high-energy reverberation, at least in the gamma frequency range, from the surrou
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Phil Teague
  • Patent number: 7315603
    Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor storage device and portable electronic equipment including a nonvolatile memory element that can easily be miniaturized. The semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array 21 in which a plurality of memory elements 1 are arranged and a write state machine 32. The memory element 1 includes a gate electrode 104 formed on a semiconductor layer 102 via a gate insulator 103, a channel region arranged below the gate electrode 104, diffusion regions 107a, 107b that are located on both sides of the channel region and have a conductive type opposite to that of the channel region and memory function bodies 109 that are located on both sides of the gate electrode 104 and have a function to retain electric charge. The write state machine 32 can selectively prevent program and erase of data in the memory elements within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuaki Iwase, Yoshifumi Yaoi, Hiroshi Iwata, Akihide Shibata, Yoshinao Morikawa, Masaru Nawaki
  • Patent number: 6517239
    Abstract: Time-temperature indicators (TTIs) which are generated by converting indicator compounds from an inactive state to an active state using a thermal transfer printing apparatus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corproation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Roth, John C. Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 5818649
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing electromagnetic energy may be used as a directed energy weapon, illuminator for an active sensor and/or guidance system, counter-measure, or to ignite a fusion weapon; as a beam expander; for power transmission by a beam; propulsion by a beam or inertial fusion; power generation from inertial fusion; telecommunication; or computer hardware. The method and apparatus direct electromagnetic energy from a source made up of an area or volume as opposed to a point. Electromagnetic energy of at least one wavelength is emitted first towards a defined surface and thence to a defining surface. Each surface is either everywhere reflective or refractive, and each point on the defined surface lies at a point of intersection of a pair of defining rays radiating from different points on or within the source. Each defining ray is of a defining wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: John E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4657721
    Abstract: A system for illuminating a tiny target of fusion fuel with energy from a laser source to achieve uniform surface heat leading to fusion including a laser light source with a beam splitter to provide two laser beams directed to a common target point and a pair of identical ellipsoidal mirrors facing each other concavely and positioned to have a common reflective focal point, the mirrors each being coaxially and centrally apertured to pass respective laser beams to the other and opposed mirrors of said pair wherein reflected energy will be directed normal to and distributed around the surface of a spherical target located at the common spherical focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: KMS Fusion, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlton E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4608222
    Abstract: A method of achieving the controlled release of thermonuclear energy by illuminating a minute, solid density, hollow shell of a mixture of material such as deuterium and tritium with a high intensity, uniformly converging laser wave to effect an extremely rapid build-up of energy in inwardly traveling shock waves to implode the shell creating thermonuclear conditions causing a reaction of deuterons and tritons and a resultant high energy thermonuclear burn. Utilizing the resulting energy as a thermal source and to breed tritium or plutonium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1973
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: KMS Fusion, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Brueckner
  • Patent number: 4521075
    Abstract: A system for achieving very uniform illumination of a target. A beam of broadband spatially-coherent light is converted to light with a controlled spatial incoherence and focused on the target. An echelon-like grating breaks the beam up into a large number of differently delayed beamlets with delay increments larger than the coherence time of the beam, and a focusing lens overlaps the beamlets to produce at the target a complicated interference pattern modulated by a smooth envelope that characterizes the diffraction of an individual beamlet. On time scales long compared to the coherence time, the interference pattern averages out, leaving only the smooth diffraction envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Inventors: Stephen P. Obenschain, Robert H. Lehmberg
  • Patent number: 4496518
    Abstract: A generator of a TE.sub.O mode wave beam, particularly adapted for confining plasmas, comprises a laser device for generating an electromagnetic wave having at least a TM.sub.O mode component. The TM.sub.O mode component is filtered by parallel sided plates or refractive surfaces disposed at the Brewster angle for the TM.sub.O component to derive an intermediate wave beam. A TM.sub.O -TE.sub.O mode converter shifts the TM.sub.O mode intermediate wave polarization vector by an angle of .pi./2 radians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Georges R. P. Marie
  • Patent number: 4440714
    Abstract: An inertial confinement fusion method in which target pellets are imploded in sequence by laser light beams or other energy beams at an implosion site which is variable between pellet implosions along a line. The effect of the variability in position of the implosion site along a line is to distribute the radiation fluence in surrounding reactor components as a line source of radiation would do, thereby permitting the utilization of cylindrical geometry in the design of the reactor and internal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Ronald P. Rose
  • Patent number: 4348750
    Abstract: First and second reflectors, having a parabolic concave reflective surface and a conical reflecting surface, respectively, are vertically spaced on co-linear axis. An energy source, such as a loudspeaker mounted atop the frusto-conical second reflector near the apex of the conical reflective surface thereof is at or proximate the focal point of the concave reflective surface of the parabolic reflector. It is desirable for the major diameters of the reflectors to be approximately twice the wave-length of the lowest frequency sound for which the device is applicable. The shapes of the reflective surfaces are established to provide essentially equal path lengths of energy radiated from the source to a wave front to provide coherent omnidirectional energy propagation from the assembly or, in an alternative use of the apparatus, receive radiant energy and focus it on target instead of a loudspeaker at the focal point of the parabolic reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Inventor: David R. Schwind
  • Patent number: H508
    Abstract: Hybrid-drive implosion systems (20,40) for ICF targets (10,22,42) are described which permit a significant increase in target gain at fixed total driver energy. The ICF target is compressed in two phases, an initial compression phase and a final peak power phase, with each phase driven by a separate, optimized driver. The targets comprise a hollow spherical ablator (12) surroundingly disposed around fusion fuel (14). The ablator is first compressed to higher density by a laser system (24), or by an ion beam system (44), that in each case is optimized for this initial phase of compression of the target. Then, following compression of the ablator, energy is directly delivered into the compressed ablator by an ion beam driver system (30,48) that is optimized for this second phase of operation of the target. The fusion fuel (14) is driven, at high gain, to conditions wherein fusion reactions occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: James W. Mark