The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 08, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 23, 1997
Yong Fang Zhang, Mill Creek, WA (US);
Synrad, Inc., Mukilteo, WA (US);
Abstract
An optical waveguide and method for guiding a laser beam through a channel member having a fluid medium disposed therein. A refractive index gradient is created in the fluid medium which causes the fluid medium to guide the laser beam through the channel member. The refractive index gradient results when a temperature index gradient is created in the fluid medium by heating the channel member wall. The channel member can be externally heated using a separate heating source or the channel member can be heated from the inside by the laser beam itself. A fluid pump is used to create a fluid flow in the fluid medium in order to maintain the temperature and refractive index gradients in the fluid medium.