Abstract: An impedance matching circuit for a gas-laser excitation system includes a high-frequency connection line configured to be connected at a first connection point to a power source and at a second connection point to a gas-laser electrode. The impedance matching circuit is characterized in that an impedance of at least one section of the high-frequency connection line changes by a change to a configuration of the high-frequency connection line, in particular to at least one parameter of the high-frequency connection line in the at least one section.

Abstract: A diffusion-cooled gas laser system that includes a first and a second electrode and a discharge gap arranged between the electrodes, wherein a dielectric is arranged on at least one of the electrodes on the discharge-gap side. The system is characterized in that the dielectric thickness d/?res the dielectric for influencing the discharge ?res of distribution in the discharge gap varies along at least one dimension of the electrode on which the dielectric is arranged, wherein d is the thickness of the dielectric, and ?res is the resultant constant of the dielectric, and, at its thickest point, has a thickness of at least 1 mm or is greater than one hundredth of the length of the electrode or is greater than one thousandth of a wavelength determined by the frequency of a radiofrequency electrical power to be coupled into the system.

Abstract: A gas laser excitation system with an integrated impedance matching circuit, comprises a gas laser electrode, a high-frequency connection line connectable to the gas laser electrode and configured for transmission of high-frequency power to the gas laser electrode, and a shield configured to shield the high-frequency power to be transmitted. The shield is arranged between the high-frequency connection line and the gas laser electrode. The high-frequency connection line interacts with the gas laser electrode and/or the shield in such a way that the resulting impedance changes at least across a section of the high-frequency connection line.

Abstract: A gas laser excitation system with an integrated impedance matching circuit, comprises a gas laser electrode, a high-frequency connection line connectable to the gas laser electrode and configured for transmission of high-frequency power to the gas laser electrode, and a shield configured to shield the high-frequency power to be transmitted. The shield is arranged between the high-frequency connection line and the gas laser electrode. The high-frequency connection line interacts with the gas laser electrode and/or the shield in such a way that the resulting impedance changes at least across a section of the high-frequency connection line.

Abstract: An impedance matching circuit for a gas-laser excitation system includes a high-frequency connection line configured to be connected at a first connection point to a power source and at a second connection point to a gas-laser electrode. The impedance matching circuit is characterized in that an impedance of at least one section of the high-frequency connection line changes by a change to a configuration of the high-frequency connection line, in particular to at least one parameter of the high-frequency connection line in the at least one section.

Abstract: A diffusion-cooled gas laser system that includes a first and a second electrode and a discharge gap arranged between the electrodes, wherein a dielectric is arranged on at least one of the electrodes on the discharge-gap side. The system is characterized in that the dielectric thickness d/?res the dielectric for influencing the discharge ?res of distribution in the discharge gap varies along at least one dimension of the electrode on which the dielectric is arranged, wherein d is the thickness of the dielectric, and ?res is the resultant constant of the dielectric, and, at its thickest point, has a thickness of at least 1 mm or is greater than one hundredth of the length of the electrode or is greater than one thousandth of a wavelength determined by the frequency of a radiofrequency electrical power to be coupled into the system.

Abstract: A laser includes a optical fiber having a cladding that defines a core, a laser active medium within the core of the optical fiber, a first reflector and a second reflector defining a cavity within at least a portion of the optical fiber; and an excitation system coupled to the laser active medium to stimulate laser action within the core of the optical fiber. The laser active medium can be a gas, a liquid, or a solid.

Abstract: A laser includes an RF generator, a laser resonator and a cable connection provided between the RF generator and the laser resonator. The output impedance respective output and input impedances of two components directly connected by a cable of the cable connection are different. The cable impedance and length of the cable are selected such that the output impedance of an upstream one of the components is adjusted to the input impedance of the other of the two components. The two components may be any combination of the RF generator, laser resonator, and one or two matchboxes.