Abstract: The present disclosure relates, generally, to lasers and, more particularly, to lasers with a setback aperture. In one in illustrative embodiment, a laser comprises front and rear resonator mirrors, an output window positioned near the front resonator mirror, and a plurality of waveguide walls extending between the front and rear resonator mirrors and extending between the rear resonator mirror and an aperture defined by the plurality of waveguide walls, such that a laser beam formed between the front and rear resonator mirrors will propagate in free-space between the aperture and the output window so that a first cross-sectional profile of the laser beam at the aperture will be different than a second cross-sectional profile of the laser beam at the output window.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a laser may include a ceramic body defining a chamber containing a laser gas. The chamber may include first and second slab waveguide sections extending along parallel first and second axes and a third slab waveguide section extending along a perpendicular third axis. Respective first ends of the first and second slab waveguide sections may be positioned adjacent opposite ends of the third slab waveguide section.

Abstract: A laser may comprise a ceramic body including a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall, a first mirror positioned at first ends of the first and second walls, a second mirror positioned at second ends of the first and second walls opposite the first ends, the first and second walls and the first and second mirrors defining a slab laser cavity within the ceramic body. The laser may further comprise a first electrode positioned outside the laser cavity and adjacent to the first wall of the ceramic body and a second electrode positioned outside the laser cavity and adjacent to the second wall of the ceramic body, wherein a laser gas disposed in the laser cavity is excited when an excitation signal is applied to the first and second electrodes. In some embodiments, the first and second mirrors may form a free-space multi-folded resonator in the slab laser cavity. In other embodiments, the first and second mirrors may form a free-space unstable resonator in the slab laser cavity.

Abstract: A laser may comprise a ceramic body defining a chamber therein containing a laser gas. The ceramic body may include a plurality of parallel walls that partially define a first section of the chamber, the first section of the chamber defining a waveguide. The ceramic body may further include a plurality of oblique walls that partially define a second section of the chamber, the second section of the chamber being shaped to modify a transverse profile of a laser beam traveling through the second section of the chamber. The laser may further comprise a plurality of electrodes positioned outside the ceramic body and adjacent to the plurality of parallel walls such that only laser gas within the first section of the chamber is excited when an excitation signal is applied to the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: An RF excited gas laser including an offset V-shaped laser cavity. The laser includes a first and second ceramic body portions with the laser cavity at least partially defined by the ceramic body portions. At least one internal gas reservoir is also at least partially defined by the first and second body portions, with the internal gas reservoir being in gas communication with laser cavity by way of at least one gas communication slot. The RF laser further includes at least two electrode slots formed in the exterior of the ceramic body portions and an electrode at least partially received in the electrode slots.