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.

What it 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.

What it doesn't 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.

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.

Why it matters

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.

Real-world examples

• 1.Experimental X-ray lasers
• 2.High-energy ultraviolet light sources for lithography