Gordon Gould's Early Concepts for High-Frequency Radiation Devices
A 1968 patent by Gordon Gould describing methods to generate and amplify radiation at frequencies exceeding visible light, building on his foundational laser work.
Original patent title: “Apparatus for generating radiation of frequencies higher than those of light”
A 1968 patent by Gordon Gould describing methods to generate and amplify radiation at frequencies exceeding visible light, building on his foundational laser work. Granted to Control Data Corp in 1968 with 53 forward citations, and it is now in the public domain.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent details apparatus designs for generating electromagnetic radiation at frequencies significantly higher than visible light, specifically targeting the ultraviolet and X-ray spectrums. It describes using a gas discharge or similar excitation mechanism to create a population inversion, which allows for the stimulated emission of radiation. By utilizing optical cavities or resonant structures, the device forces this radiation to amplify into a coherent beam, effectively extending the principles of the laser into higher energy regimes.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover standard visible-light lasers operating at lower frequencies.
- Does not cover specific medical imaging applications or diagnostic X-ray machines.
- Does not cover solid-state semiconductor laser diodes.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
Gould realized that the same principles of stimulated emission used for visible light could be scaled to much higher frequencies, provided one could find a way to excite atoms to the necessary energy levels.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Experimental X-ray lasers
High-energy ultraviolet light sources for lithography
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Gordon Gould is a central figure in the history of the laser, having fought a decades-long legal battle to be recognized as its inventorinventorThe person who actually conceived the invention. Listed on the patent regardless of who owns it.Read more →. This specific patent represents his efforts to push the boundaries of light amplification into the high-energy spectrum, which remains a core objective in modern physics research.
Filed
August 21, 1967
Granted
June 11, 1968
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Research institutions and national laboratories continue to explore high-energy radiation sources for fusion energy and advanced lithography. Companies like ASML utilize extreme ultraviolet light technology that builds upon the fundamental physics of coherent radiation generation.
Market impact
This patent contributed to the long-standing intellectual property disputes that defined the early laser industry. It helped secure Gould's legacy and forced the industry to acknowledge his early, often overlooked, contributions to the field of quantum electronics.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent details apparatus designs for generating electromagnetic radiation at frequencies significantly higher than visible light, specifically targeting the ultraviolet and X-ray spectrums. It describes using a gas discharge or similar excitation mechanism to create a population inversion, which allows for the stimulated emission of radiation. By utilizing optical cavities or resonant structures, the device forces this radiation to amplify into a coherent beam, effectively extending the principles of the laser into higher energy regimes.
The clever bit
Gould realized that the same principles of stimulated emission used for visible light could be scaled to much higher frequencies, provided one could find a way to excite atoms to the necessary energy levels.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover standard visible-light lasers operating at lower frequencies.
- Does not cover specific medical imaging applications or diagnostic X-ray machines.
- Does not cover solid-state semiconductor laser diodes.
Patent Journey
From filing to expiry
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
35/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$25K – $81K
Midpoint $50K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Gordon, G. (1968). Gordon Gould's Early Concepts for High-Frequency Radiation Devices (U.S. Patent No. 3,388,314). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3388314/laser-gordon-gould
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gordon Gould's Early Concepts for High-Frequency Radiation Devices cover?
A 1968 patent by Gordon Gould describing methods to generate and amplify radiation at frequencies exceeding visible light, building on his foundational laser work.
Who owns patent US 3388314?
Control Data Corp owns this patent, granted in 1968.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 3388314 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 53 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Gordon Gould is a central figure in the history of the laser, having fought a decades-long legal battle to be recognized as its inventor. This specific patent represents his efforts to push the boundaries of light amplification into the high-energy spectrum, which remains a core objective in modern physics research.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover standard visible-light lasers operating at lower frequencies.
Patent monitoring