Bruce H Warner

US Patent:

52873692, Feb 15, 1994

Filed:

Aug 18, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/241221

Inventors:

Bruce E. Warner - Livermore CA
David B. Duncan - Auburn CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04L 114

US Classification:

372 34

Abstract:

Laser beam generating apparatus including a septum segment disposed longitudinally within the tubular structure of the apparatus. The septum provides for radiatively dissipating heat buildup within the tubular structure and for generating relatively uniform laser beam pulses so as to minimize or eliminate radial pulse delays (the chevron effect).

US Patent:

47730730, Sep 20, 1988

Filed:

Sep 26, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/911941

Inventors:

Bruce E. Warner - Livermore CA
Earl R. Ault - Dublin CA

Assignee:

The United States Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01S 3098

US Classification:

372 25

Abstract:

An injection locked oscillator system for pulsed metal vapor lasers is disclosed. The invention includes the combination of a seeding oscillator with an injection locked oscillator (ILO) for improving the quality, particularly the intensity, of an output laser beam pulse. The present invention includes means for matching the first seeder laser pulses from the seeding oscillator to second laser pulses of a metal vapor laser to improve the quality, and particularly the intensity, of the output laser beam pulse.

US Patent:

53413920, Aug 23, 1994

Filed:

Jun 22, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/640174

Inventors:

Bruce E. Warner - Livermore CA
John L. Miller - Dublin CA
Earl R. Ault - Dublin CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01S 322
H01S 303

US Classification:

372 62

Abstract:

The improved longitudinal discharge laser electrode with IR baffle includes an electrode made up of washers spaced along the laser axis in order to form inter-washer spaces for hollow cathode discharge to take place and for IR radiation to be trapped. Additional IR baffles can be placed between the electrode ann the window.

US Patent:

57447802, Apr 28, 1998

Filed:

Sep 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/523321

Inventors:

Jim J. Chang - Dublin CA
Ernest P. Dragon - Danville CA
Bruce E. Warner - Pleasanton CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B23K 2618

US Classification:

21912173

Abstract:

A new material processing apparatus using a short-pulsed, high-repetition-rate visible laser for precision micromachining utilizes a near diffraction limited laser, a high-speed precision two-axis tilt-mirror for steering the laser beam, an optical system for either focusing or imaging the laser beam on the part, and a part holder that may consist of a cover plate and a back plate. The system is generally useful for precision drilling, cutting, milling and polishing of metals and ceramics, and has broad application in manufacturing precision components. Precision machining has been demonstrated through percussion drilling and trepanning using this system. With a 30 W copper vapor laser running at multi-kHz pulse repetition frequency, straight parallel holes with size varying from 500 microns to less than 25 microns and with aspect ratios up to 1:40 have been consistently drilled with good surface finish on a variety of metals. Micromilling and microdrilling on ceramics using a 250 W copper vapor laser have also been demonstrated with good results. Materialogroaphic sections of machined parts show little (submicron scale) recast layer and heat affected zone.

US Patent:

52746542, Dec 28, 1993

Filed:

Jul 7, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/218200

Inventors:

Bruce E. Warner - Livermore CA
David B. Duncan - Auburn CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04L 114

US Classification:

372 34

Abstract:

Laser beam generating apparatus including a septum segment disposed longitudinally within the tubular structure of the apparatus. The septum provides for radiatively dissipating heat buildup within the tubular structure and for generating relatively uniform laser beam pulses so as to minimize or eliminate radial pulse delays (the chevron effect).

US Patent:

54909120, Feb 13, 1996

Filed:

May 31, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/251129

Inventors:

Bruce E. Warner - Pleasanton CA
William McLean - Oakland CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

C23C 1434

US Classification:

20429802

Abstract:

A pulsed laser deposition apparatus uses fiber optics to deliver visible output beams. One or more optical fibers are coupled to one or more laser sources, and delivers visible output beams to a single chamber, to multiple targets in the chamber or to multiple chambers. The laser can run uninterrupted if one of the deposition chambers ceases to operate because other chambers can continue their laser deposition processes. The laser source can be positioned at a remote location relative to the deposition chamber. The use of fiber optics permits multi-plexing. A pulsed visible laser beam is directed at a generally non-perpendicular angle upon the target in the chamber, generating a plume of ions and energetic neutral species. A portion of the plume is deposited on a substrate as a thin film. A pulsed visible output beam with a high pulse repetition frequency is used.

US Patent:

60575255, May 2, 2000

Filed:

Sep 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/926657

Inventors:

Jim Chang - San Ramon CA
Bruce E. Warner - Pleasanton CA
Ernest P. Dragon - Danville CA

Assignee:

United States Enrichment Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

B23K 2618
B23K 2614

US Classification:

21912173

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for micromachining and microdrilling which results in a machined part of superior surface quality is provided. The system uses a near diffraction limited, high repetition rate, short pulse length, visible wavelength laser. The laser is combined with a high speed precision tilting mirror and suitable beam shaping optics, thus allowing a large amount of energy to be accurately positioned and scanned on the workpiece. As a result of this system, complicated, high resolution machining patterns can be achieved. A cover plate may be temporarily attached to the workpiece. Then as the workpiece material is vaporized during the machining process, the vapors condense on the cover plate rather than the surface of the workpiece. In order to eliminate cutting rate variations as the cutting direction is varied, a randomly polarized laser beam is utilized. A rotating half-wave plate is used to achieve the random polarization.

US Patent:

53196627, Jun 7, 1994

Filed:

Jun 22, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/640173

Inventors:

Bruce E. Warner - Livermore CA
Earl R. Ault - Dublin CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01S 302
H01S 3223

US Classification:

372 56

Abstract:

The IR baffles placed between the window and the electrode of a longitudinal discharge laser improve laser performance by intercepting off-axis IR radiation from the laser and in doing so reduce window heating and subsequent optical distortion of the laser beam.