Microwave transmission using a laser-generated plasma beam waveguide
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
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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.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An apparatus for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. An apparatus for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising:
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(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.
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6. A method for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising the steps of:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising the steps of:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising the steps of:
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(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.
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11. A method for transmitting microwave energy through the atmosphere comprising the steps of:
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(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.
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Specification