Description
This is a restricted class for coherent light generator systemswherein an assembly of electrical, mechanical, and optical componentsproduces an intense, coherent, directional beam of light by stimulatingelectronic, ionic, or molecular transitions to lower energy levels.
The generators of this system consists of (a) a medium whichmay be solid, liquid or gaseous, comprising a system of particles,molecules, or atoms; (b) means including a source of energy forsetting the particles, molecules, or atoms into an excited energystate; and (c) means to abstract electromagnetic wave energy producedby the relaxation of the system of particles, molecules, or atomsto a lower energy state. The means to abstract electromagneticwave energy provides for escape from said substance of substantiallycoherent electromagnetic radiation in the optical or Quasi-optical wavelengthrange. In general, the wavelength of the emitted radiation liesin the range from the ultraviolet to the far infrared of the electromagneticspectrum, corresponding to a wavelength range extending from 100to 2,000,000 angstroms.
The generators of these systems when combined with other diversesystems or devices will be classified with the diverse system ordevice.