Microwave transmission using a laser-generated plasma beam waveguide

• US 6,377,436 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Optima Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Jed Margolin
• Inventors: Margolin, Jed
• Primary Examiner(s): Leja, Ronald W.
• Application Number:
  US09/543,252
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 361/230, 361/231, 307/149, 372/1, 372/4, 372/9, 372/14, 372/15, 372/29.01, 372/109, 372/76, 250/396.R, 250/423.R, 250/424, 385/147, 342/54, 359/27, 359/34, 359/179, 359/188, 359/298, 359/299, 359/342, 359/349
• US Class Current: 361/230
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/00 Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating production or acceleration of neutrons, electrically-charged particles, neutral molecular beams or neutral atomic beams H05H3/00 - H05H15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/26 with electric discharge tube
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/366 using an ionized gas

Abstract

A directed energy beam system uses an ultra-fast laser system, such as one using a titanium-sapphire infrared laser to produce a thin ionizing beam through the atmosphere. The beam is moved in either a circular or rectangular fashion to produce a conductive shell to act as a waveguide for microwave energy. Because the waveguide is produced by a plasma it is called a plasma beam waveguide. The directed energy beam system can be used as a weapon, to provide power to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as for providing communications in a cellular telephone system, or as an ultra-precise radar system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising:

(a) one or more laser systems, whereby each said one or more laser systems produces a thin ionizing beam through the atmosphere;

(b) a mechanical means for rotating said one or more laser systems such that said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems produces a single conductive shell;

(c) a microwave transmitter;

(d) a means for coupling the output of said microwave transmitter to said conductive shell;

whereby said single conductive shell acts as a waveguide for said output of said microwave transmitter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an electrical current means for accelerating said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems.

3. An apparatus for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising:

(a) one or more laser systems, whereby each said one or more laser systems produces a thin ionizing beam through the atmosphere;

(b) an opto-mechanical means for moving said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems to produce a single conductive shell, whereby said opto-mechanical means comprises one or more parabolic section mirrors and a controllable flat mirror at the focal point of each said one or more parabolic section mirrors;

(c) a microwave transmitter;

(d) a means for coupling the output of said microwave transmitter to said conductive shell;

whereby said single conductive shell acts as a waveguide for said output of said microwave transmitter.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further including an electrical current means for accelerating said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems.

5. An apparatus for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising:

(a) one or more laser systems, whereby each said one or more laser systems produces a thin ionizing beam through the atmosphere;

(b) an opto-electromagnetic means for moving said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems to produce a single conductive shell, whereby said opto-electromagnetic means comprises;

(i) an electrical current means for accelerating said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems;

(ii) a pair of electrically driven orthogonal magnetic coils for deflecting said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems;

(iii) one or more parabolic section mirrors;

(c) a microwave transmitter;

(d) a means for coupling the output of said microwave transmitter to said conductive shell;

whereby said single conductive shell acts as a waveguide for said output of said microwave transmitter.

6. A method for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising the steps of:

(a) using one or more laser systems to produce a thin ionizing beam through the atmosphere;

(b) mechanically rotating said one or more laser systems such that said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems produces a single conductive shell;

(c) coupling the output of a microwave transmitter to said single conductive shell;

whereby said single conductive shell acts as a waveguide for said output of said microwave transmitter.

7. The method of claim 6 further including the step of electrically accelerating said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems.

8. A method for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising the steps of:

(a) using one or more laser systems to produce a thin ionizing beam through the atmosphere;

(b) using opto-mechanical means to move said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems to produce a single conductive shell, whereby said opto-mechanical means moves said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems to produce a single conductive shell by using one or more parabolic section mirrors and a controllable flat mirror at the focal point of each said one or more parabolic section mirrors;

(c) coupling the output of a microwave transmitter to said single conductive shell;

whereby said single conductive shell acts as a waveguide for said output of said microwave transmitter.

9. The method of claim 8 further including the step of electrically accelerating said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems.

10. A method for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising the steps of:

(a) using one or more laser systems to produce a thin ionizing beam through the atmosphere;

(b) using opto-electromagnetic means for moving said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems to produce a single conductive shell, whereby said opto-electromagnetic means comprises the steps of;

(i) using an electrical current means for accelerating said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems;

(ii) using a pair of electrically driven orthogonal magnetic coils for deflecting said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems;

(iii) using one or more parabolic section mirrors;

(c) coupling the output of a microwave transmitter to said single conductive shell;

whereby said single conductive shell acts as a waveguide for said output of said microwave transmitter.

11. A method for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising the steps of:

(a) using one or more laser systems to produce a thin ionizing beam through the atmosphere;

(b) using said thin ionizing beam from said one or more laser systems to produce a single conductive shell;

(c) coupling the output of a microwave transmitter to said single conductive shell;

whereby said single conductive shell acts as a waveguide for said output of said microwave transmitter.