System for nanosecond modulation of an infrared laser beam by coherent stark switching

Patent · Tue Apr 07 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6535704

Wessel, J E

A modulation system is described for space satellite communication, comprising: (a) first means for outputting at a predetermined level a bias signal having an electric field; (b) second means for outputting at a predetermined frequency a coherent infrared beam having an electric field; (c) Stark cell means having a gas with a predetermined molecular frequency, and operative to receive the electric field of the bias signal from the first outputting means for exciting the molecular frequency of the gas to be in resonance with the frequency of the coherent infrared beam from the second outputting means; (d) third means for outputting an electrical pulse to the Stark cell means for shifting the excited molecular frequency of the gas molecules of the Stark cell means coherently, to be out of resonance with the laser beam. This is done in order to generate an electric field for heterodyne beating with the electric field of the coherent infrared beam from the second outputting means; and (e) a detection means with a response speed adequate to resolve the modulated infrared beam.

• Assignee: NOV; EDB-87-096938; NOV-87-057111
• Patent Number(s): US 4656439
• OSTI ID: 6535704
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
COHERENT RADIATION
COMMUNICATIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
FLUIDS
FREQUENCY MODULATION
GASES
INFRARED RADIATION
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
MODULATION
MOLECULES
PULSES
RADIATIONS
RESONANCE
SATELLITES
SIGNALS
STARK EFFECT
TIME DEPENDENCE