Coherent light generators – Particular resonant cavity – Specified cavity component
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-22
2004-09-14
Wong, Don (Department: 2828)
Coherent light generators
Particular resonant cavity
Specified cavity component
C372S098000, C372S099000, C372S100000, C372S101000, C372S103000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06792028
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention pertains to optical systems, and in one embodiment, to laser beam positioning and pointing
BACKGROUND
In many applications, it is desirable to direct a laser beam over a very large field of regard, and once having reached some designated angle within the field of regard, to generate a small scan or raster pattern for the purpose of finding a target of interest. Laser beam pointing and positioning has been conventionally accomplished with either pointing mirrors, scan wheels, counter rotating wedges and/or various two-axis gimbal arrangements. These conventional mechanisms are mechanically complex, costly, require significant power for operation and are large in size. The mechanical complexity of these conventional mechanisms also makes them less reliable. Furthermore, many of these conventional laser beam pointing and positioning mechanisms are limited either in the range of angles that can be covered or in the amount of time needed to reach a designated position in the field. In the case of gimbals, for example, the gimbal set is typically displaced from a vehicle's surface requiring a very large sensor window. Furthermore, prism apex angles and prism thickness can become very large for large steering angles.
Thus there is general need for improved laser beam pointing and laser beam positioning methods and systems. There is also a need for a system and method suitable for steering a laser beam over large angles in two-dimensions. There is also a need for a laser beam pointing and positioning system and method that is less complex. There is also a need for a laser beam pointing and positioning system and method that requires less hardware. There is also a need for a laser beam pointing and positioning system and method that is less costly. There is also a need for a laser beam pointing and positioning system and method that requires less power for operation. There is also a need for a laser beam pointing and positioning system and method that is more reliable. There is also a need for a laser beam pointing and positioning system and method that is smaller in size.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3721486 (1973-03-01), Bramley
patent: 3753148 (1973-08-01), Billman
patent: 5126869 (1992-06-01), Lipchak et al.
patent: 5253033 (1993-10-01), Lipchak et al.
patent: 5349591 (1994-09-01), Weston et al.
patent: 5471326 (1995-11-01), Hall et al.
patent: 5825523 (1998-10-01), Amitai
patent: 6292278 (2001-09-01), Lee et al.
patent: 6552321 (2003-04-01), Mills
Cook Lacy G.
Withrington Roger J.
Al-Nazer Leith
Alkov Leonard A.
Gunther John E.
Raytheon Company
Schubert William C.
LandOfFree
Method and laser beam directing system with rotatable... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and laser beam directing system with rotatable..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and laser beam directing system with rotatable... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3211055