Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for resurfacing a rotating elastomer substrate. The apparatus utilizes a motorized grinding wheel, said motorized grinding wheel rotating in a direction counter to the rotating elastomer substrate and having an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating elastomer substrate, wherein the perpendicular distance between the motorized grinding wheel and the rotating elastomer substrate is adjustable so as to control the amount of elastomer substrate that is removed; and a mount for said motorized grinding wheel, wherein said mount is located proximal to the rotating elastomer substrate that comprises a part of a production line and wherein the mount is capable of traversing parallel to the rotating elastomer substrate.

Abstract: A vertical external cavity surface emitting laser (VECSEL) structure includes a heterostructure and first and second reflectors. The heterostructure comprises an active region having one or more quantum well structures configured to emit radiation at a wavelength, ?lase, in response to pumping by an electron beam. One or more layers of the heterostructure may be doped. The active region is disposed between the first reflector and the second reflector and is spaced apart from the first reflector by an external cavity. An electron beam source is configured to generate the electron beam directed toward the active region. At least one electrical contact is electrically coupled to the heterostructure and is configured to provide a current path between the heterostructure and ground.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to enhancing electrical discharge. A hollow conical electrode may be provided to discharge electrical energy in a directed manner. The conical electrode has two openings: a larger entrance opening; and a smaller exit opening. These openings are configured to allow radiated energy to pass therethrough and form a preferential path of electrical conduction. The larger entrance opening has a surface with a radius of curvature that is larger than that of the second smaller exit opening. The smaller exit opening directs electrical energy to the path because of stronger electric fields. In one embodiment, a protruding electrode element is configured with the smaller exit opening to further enhance electrical discharge by focusing electric fields in the vicinity of the protruding electrode.

Abstract: An RF-excited waveguide laser module comprises a first electrode having a first elongate surface defining in part a waveguide laser channel extending along an optical axis, the first elongate surface having a substantially linear cross-section normal to the optical axis. A second electrode has a second elongate surface defining in part the waveguide laser channel extending along the optical axis. The second elongate surface has a non-linear cross-section normal to the optical axis. A dielectric insert may be provided between the electrodes defining in part the waveguide laser channel. A lengthwise gap may extend essentially an entire length of the waveguide laser channel between one of the first and second electrodes and the dielectric insert. The gap provides fluid communication between the waveguide laser channel and a volume outside the waveguide laser channel.

Abstract: A corona-discharge type, preionizer assembly for a gas discharge laser is disclosed. The assembly may include an electrode and a hollow, dielectric tube that defines a tube bore. In one aspect, the electrode may include a first elongated 0o conductive member having a first end disposed in the bore of the tube. In addition, the electrode may include a second elongated conductive member having a first end disposed in the bore and spaced from the first end of the first conductive member. For the assembly, the first and second conductive members may be held at a same voltage potential.

Abstract: A fluorine gas discharge laser electrode for a gas discharge laser having a laser gas containing fluorine is disclosed which may comprise a copper and copper alloy cathode body having an upper curved region containing the discharge footprint for the cathode comprising copper and a lower portion comprising a copper alloy, with the facing portion of the electrode if formed in a arcuate shape extending into straight line portions on either side of the arcuate portion, the straight line portions terminating in vertical straight sides, with the boundary between the copper including at least the arcuate portion, the electrode may comprise a bonded element machined from two pieces of material the first made of copper and the second made of a copper alloy bonded together before machining.

Abstract: A light-emitting device is disclosed as typified by a laser oscillator formed by an electroluminescent material with improved oscillation efficiency of laser light and even reduced power consumption. The disclosed light-emitting device comprises a light-emitting element including a first electrode having a concave portion, an electroluminescent layer serving as a laser medium formed over the first electrode so as to be overlapped with the concave portion, and a second electrode formed over the electroluminescent layer so as to be overlapped with the concave portion, wherein light generated in the electroluminescent layer is resonated between the first electrode and the second electrode and emitted as laser light from the second electrode, an optical axis of the laser light intersects with the second electrode, the first electrode has a curved surface at the concave portion, and a center of curvature of the curved surface is located at the side of the second electrode above the first electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light emitting device typified by a laser oscillator using an electroluminescent material that can enhance directivity of emitted laser light and resistance to a physical impact. A light emitting device includes a first electrode having a convex portion or a concave portion, an electroluminescent layer formed over the first electrode to overlap the convex portion or the concave portion, and a second electrode having a convex portion or a concave portion formed over the electroluminescent layer to overlap the convex portion or the concave portion. In the light emitting device, the first electrode has a curved surface in the convex portion or the concave portion, a center of a curvature of the curved surface is located on an opposite side of the second electrode, and laser light is emitted by oscillating light generated in the electroluminescent layer between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser diode array including a plurality of laser diode bars, each carried by a submount and forming a subassembly. Each subassembly is separated by a flexible or compliant electrically conductive spacer. All connections within the array are by way of a non-fluxed solder, that may be hard and/or soft, reflowed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere in a simple mechanical stack fixture to create nearly void-free solder joints with relatively high thermal integrity and electrical conductivity. Flexible electrically conductive spacers are disposed between the subassemblies to eliminate tensile stress on the laser diode bars while providing electrical conductivity between subassemblies. The subassemblies are carried by a thermally conductive dielectric substrate, allowing waste heat generated from the bars to be conducted to a cooling device. The invention eliminates known failure modes in interconnections, minimizing tensile strength on the diode arrays, and increasing the useful life of the array.

Abstract: Internal mirror sputtering metal ion lasers are disclosed which employ laser mirrors and a resonator internal to and integral with the laser plasma tube. Preferred lasers use silver, copper, gold and other metals individually or in combination as optically active materials and buffer gases of helium, neon, argon and other noble gases. Laser mirrors are utilized to enhance or reject selected combinations of emission wavelengths. Because of the rapid response time of these lasers, they may be employed as quasi-CW devices with laser output pulse widths ranging from a few microseconds to hundreds of microseconds and with very low input power ranging from a few watts to about 500 watts. The disclosed lasers approach the size, weight, power consumption, and cost of a helium-neon laser while providing quasi-continuous output up to hundreds of milliwatts at a wide range of wavelengths from about 200nm in the deep ultraviolet to about 2000nm in the middle infrared.

Abstract: A laser has at least two coaxial electrode tubes spaced apart to provide a laser cavity therebetween and a cooling system including cooling coils about the outer surface of the outer electrode and about the inner surface of the inner electrode and in heat exchange contact therewith. Support pipes are provided about the outside of the outside cooling coil and about the inside surface of the inner cooling coil. The cooling coils are deformed into improved heat exchange contact with the electrode tubes by internal pressure and may be softened by annealing or the like before the application of the deformation pressure.

Abstract: A preionization device for a gas laser comprises an internal preionization electrode having a dielectric housing around it and an external preionization electrode displaced from the dielectric housing by a small gap. The dielectric housing includes two cylindrical regions of differing outer radii of curvature. An open end of the housing has a larger radius of curvature than the other end which is closed. The internal electrode connects to circuitry external to the discharge chamber via a conductive feedthrough which penetrates through the housing. The external circuitry prevents voltage oscillations caused by residual energy stored as capacitance in the dielectric housing. The external preionization electrode, which is connected electrically to one of the main discharge electrodes, is formed to shield the internal preionization electrode from the other main discharge electrode to prevent arcing therebetween.

Abstract: A preionization device for a gas laser comprises an internal preionization electrode having a dielectric housing around it and an external preionization electrode displaced from the dielectric housing by a small gap. The dielectric housing includes two cylindrical regions of differing outer radii of curvature. An open end of the housing has a larger radius of curvature than the other end which is closed. The internal electrode connects to circuitry external to the discharge chamber via a conductive feedthrough which penetrates through the housing. The external circuitry prevents voltage oscillations caused by residual energy stored as capacitance in the dielectric housing. The external preionization electrode, which is connected electrically to one of the main discharge electrodes, is formed to shield the internal preionization electrode from the other main discharge electrode to prevent arcing therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to prevent, by adjusting a flow of laser gas, discharge products from stagnating and being released again into a main discharge space, maintain the purity of the laser gas in the main discharge space, and stabilize the main discharge so as to minimize laser output fluctuation, in which conductors are interposed in the gaps between a main discharge electrode and a pair of corona preliminary ionization electrodes, from the upper surface of a support plate to the discharge starting points.

Abstract: The amount of pre-ionization by the pre-ionization electrode provided on the gas outflow side of the main discharge space, out of at least one pair of pre-ionization electrodes, is adjusted so as to attain the desired beam profile. As a result, the pre-ionization intensity of the laser gas remaining on the gas outflow side of the main discharge space is made lower than the pre-ionization intensity of the laser gas flowing into the main discharge space. In other words, the intensity of the laser light on the gas outflow side of the main discharge space is made weaker than the intensity of the laser light in the center of the main discharge space. Accordingly, the location of the maximum light intensity of the beam profile does not deviate from the center of the discharge width.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for a gas laser is provided. The electrode arrangement includes an elongated high voltage electrode, an elongated ground electrode disposed adjacent to the high voltage electrode, a discharge gap between the two electrodes an insulator element, a high voltage conductor having a first end connected to the high voltage electrode and extending through the insulator element, and a shadow plate interposed between the discharge gap and the insulator element. The electrode arrangement may be employed in a variety of gas lasers, including excimer lasers.

Abstract: A gas laser gas has an elongated cavity in which are disposed a first elongated electrode tube having an inner diameter, and a second elongated electrode tube disposed coaxially within the first electrode tube and having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first electrode tube and spaced therefrom so as to provide a gas discharge chamber therebetween. The second electrode tube provides a gas exit chamber therewithin, and the first electrode tube is spaced from the wall of the cavity to provide a gas entry chamber thereabout. The electrode tubes permit gas to flow therethrough from the gas entry chamber to the gas exit chamber. The electrodes may be formed from a gas permeable material such as sintered metal, or formed from a non-permeable material with openings therein. The electrodes may have coolant flowing therethrough.

Abstract: An excimer or molecular fluorine laser includes one or more sliding surface discharge preionization units each including an elongated preionization electrode spaced from one or more associated preionization electrodes by an elongated dielectric within the discharge chamber. The dielectric includes a sliding discharge surface at a long axis, or side, surface of its cross-section substantially facing the discharge volume of the laser. A portion of each of the elongated and associated preionization electrodes conductively contacts a surface of the dielectric portion preferably at a cross-sectional short axis, or top or bottom, side of the dielectric. A significant area of the surface of at least one, and preferably both, of the elongated and associated electrodes contacts the corresponding surface of the dielectric such that the contact area is substantially larger than the area of the sliding discharge surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel and improved technique for achieving a combined RF-DC gas discharge in the optical cavity of the gas laser. The combination of the fast pre-ionization with the transverse RF discharge and the high power excitation with the highly-efficient longitudinal DC discharge allows for a high-speed laser gain modulation of the active medium of the high-power gas laser. At the same time, the all-metal electrode system allows for a very compact, reliable and low cost design of the gas laser.

Abstract: Plasma is placed in ring laser gyro blocks to create laser beams for the operation of the ring laser gyro. The plasma is doped with a small portion of material that allows the ring laser gyro to operate for a long period of time.

Abstract: In an ion laser generator, an electromagnet must produce a sufficiently strong magnetic field throughout the length of the bore where plasma must be converged, and the magnetic field intensity at the end surface of the cathode must not exceed a certain limit. If the magnetic field intensity at the cathode is too strong, the plasma is converged on an area of the cathode and destroys the cathode at the area. A magnetic shield member is provided at an end surface of the electromagnet facing to the cathode for shielding the cathode surface from the leakage flux.

Abstract: Low power discharge preionizers, or species, are provided by a ionizable species generator that preconditions a laser gas to eliminate arcing in lasers, such as pulsed (high repetition rate) lasers. The present invention creates the species in a low power discharge and the species prevents initial arcs from occurring between high voltage electrodes of the laser. The laser comprises a pressure vessel containing the laser gas, a fan for circulating the laser gas, a heat exchanger, a catalyst, and two high voltage discharge electrodes for exciting the laser gas to create lasing. A high voltage power source is coupled to the electrodes for providing a discharge voltage thereto. A primary auxiliary discharge source is disposed adjacent to the electrodes that is used as a preionizer that creates a low density of charged particles in the main discharge volume to act as a uniform seed for the main voltage pulse derived from the electrodes.

Abstract: A laser discharge tube for preventing the flow out of an electrode material, deterioration of electrodes, and the like, caused by corona discharge, as well as for increasing power to be supplied to the laser discharge tube by improving the heat-dissipating property and insulating property of the electrodes. The laser discharge tube is a tube of a dielectric material (e.g., silica glass) with a circular cross section and two electrode units are helically disposed on the outside periphery thereof at the same pitch. The electrode units include electrodes and dielectric layers, respectively, and each of the electrodes is formed by depositing silver as an electric conductor on the outside periphery of the tube wall by metalizing.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a laser apparatus capable of efficient oscillation with an excitation power source with comparatively low frequency, wherein discharge is obliquely generated within the rectangular section of a discharge space. There is also provided a laser apparatus with a pair of preliminary discharge excitation electrodes which can readily initiate discharge. There is further provided a laser apparatus capable of efficient oscillation with an excitation power source with comparatively low frequency, wherein provided is a pair of discharge excitation electrodes located in the major side direction of discharge space whose length is more than three times as long as that of minor side direction thereof. There is further provided a laser apparatus with a pair of discharge excitation electrodes whose dimension is smaller than that of a pair of dielectric plates, which apparatus can prevent undesirable discharge.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a gas or metal vapor discharge device is disclosed. A pair of electrode assemblies each comprising thoriated tungsten with an alloy composition of tungsten (W) and from about 2% to about 3% of thorium dioxide ThO2 are located at opposite ends of the discharge chamber of the discharge device. The tip of the electrode preferably has four slots equally spaced around its circumference and a groove at its outermost edge. The tip of the electrode provides mechanical flexibility that inhibits the cracking of the thoriated tungsten electrode when it is mounted in the discharge device. Each electrode assembly further comprises a copper spacer, preferably I-shaped in cross-section, brazed against the base of the electrode and against a vacuum flange. The pair of electrode assemblies confines the discharge of the discharge device between the tips of the electrodes and inhibits the arc condition from finding its way to delicate vacuum seals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transverse discharge pumping type pulse laser oscillating device including an electron capturing gas, especially to the configuration of preliminary ionization electrodes (4a, 4b, 8a, 8b). A transverse discharge exciting type pulse laser oscillating device according to this invention has preliminary ionization parts such that the dominant parts of corona discharge are directed to the part between main electrodes (1,2) and the developing lengths (1) of the corona discharge are long. The long developing lengths (1) increase the quantity of emitted ultraviolet rays and the electrodes (4a, 4b, 8a, 8b) are so arranged that the air between the main electrodes (1,2) is irradiated with ultraviolet rays emitted from near the initiating regions of the corona discharge, the initiating regions emitting light whose intensity is greater than those of other regions in the corona discharges. Thereby, a homogeneous main discharge is obtained and the efficiency of the laser oscillation is improved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adaptor for the conversion of laser connectors which will render a pre-existing laser system having an inside connector receptive to and connectable to an otherwise non-fitting generic or proprietary outside connector. This adaptor includes a locking sleeve and a captive sleeve located within the locking sleeve. The captive sleeve comprises of a pigtail attachment and a pre-existing laser system outside connector. The pigtail attachment has a forward end and a rearward end and is adapted to connect to a pre-existing laser system outside connector with extended fiber at its forward end and is adapted with connecting means for receiving a final outside connector different from the pre-existing laser system outside connector, at its rearward end. The pigtail attachment has locking means with a first position and a second position.

Abstract: At least the opposing surface portions of the main electrodes of an excimer laser device are covered with materials which are resistive to chemical etching than nickel. The etching resistive material may be a platinum based alloy containing rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, or osmium; a nickel based alloy containing gold, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, or osmium; or rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, or osmium. Thus, an excimer laser device is realized by which the lives of the electrodes and the laser gas are prolonged.

Abstract: A substance vaporizing apparatus which uses a vapor of a substance generated by heating the substance in a gas-filled tube as an exciting medium or an ionizing medium. The apparatus employs an improved container for containing the substance within the gas-filled tube. The improved container suppresses the rate of emission of the vapor of the substance into a discharge space defined by the gas-filled tube to hold the vapor density of the substance at an optimum low value for laser oscillation relative to the buffer gas density in the discharge space. Thus, the mean free path of the atoms of the substance, namely the average distance traveled by the atoms between elastic collisions with the electrons, ions and neutral atoms of the buffer gas, is increased to increase the number of atoms of the subtance excited to a higher energy level, which, consequently, increases laser power and enhances laser beam or ion beam accelerating energy.

Abstract: A discharge tube for a high-speed axial-flow type discharge pumping gas laser device is provided, in which a capacitive load medium (9) under metal electrodes (2a, 2b) has convexly curved faces opposed to each other and constitutes a discharge tube. With this construction, the distribution of a laser oscillation gain within the discharge tube (1) is made uniform, and a single-mode laser beam is obtained.

Abstract: A hollow cathode type metal ion laser utilizing negative glow discharge for generating a laser beam. A hollow cathode is inserted into a glass tube, and there are provided springs between opposite ends of the hollow cathode and adjacent ends of the glass tube respectively.

Abstract: At least one pair of electrodes (5a, 5b) are provided on the surface of a dielectric discharge tube (1), and radiating fins (2a, 2b) are attached to a part of the electrodes (5a, 5b). A ceramic clamp (3) and a stainless-steel backup plate (4) are engaged with recessed portions of the radiating fins (2a, 2b), to thereby fix the radiating fins (2a, 2b) in position. Accordingly, a rise in the temperature of the electrodes is reduced by radiating heat through the radiating fins, whereby a separation or deterioration of the electrodes (5a, 5b) is prevented.

Abstract: A compact RF excited annular laser system has a stable resonator with a high quality output beam. The stable resonator has internal axiconical and annular mirrors to conform with the annular lasing medium, and to convert the annular beam into a compact cylindrical beam. Mode control is achieved by a combination of diffractive effects in both the annular beam and the compact beam.

Abstract: Discharge tubes formed of metal fluoride gases are used in apparatus for emitting high frequency laser and fluorescent light. The discharge tubes are resistant to corrosion from halogen-containing gas mixtures subjected to high frequency excitation in the apparatus.

Abstract: A high-power radiator for UV light comprises a quartz tube or glass tube (1) with electrodes (3, 4), which are arranged in pairs and are separated from one another in the circumferential direction. Together with the electrodes, the tube is partially embedded in a molding compound (2), and forms a module (6). A plurality of these modules can be assembled to form arbitrary radiator geometries.

Abstract: A laser beam generated between a total reflector and an output coupler is turned back by plural reflectors which are mounted in a discharge region along two main electrodes at 45.degree., and the discharge region is divided into plural divided discharge regions, thus, a diameter of an output laser beam is reduced to a diameter of the divided discharge regions.

Abstract: A high-power radiator, especially for ultraviolet light, wherein in order to increase the efficiency in the case of UV high-power cylindrical radiators, the inner dielectrics (3) are very small in comparison with the outer dielectric tube. A privileged direction of radiation is achieved by eccentric arrangement of the dielectrics and outer electrodes (2) only on the surface adjacent to the inner dielectric (3), and simultaneous construction of the outer electrode (7) as a reflector.

Abstract: An ignitor for a preionizing means of an excimer laser has an electrically conductive core which projects into the gas space of the laser and which is surrounded by a jacket of a fluoroplastic. The jacket is brought into sealing engagement with the wall of the laser gas space by means of a pressure sleeve via mating conical surfaces.

Abstract: An improved electrode design for reducing discharge instability, especially in white light lasers. The apparatus consists of at least one cathode electrode (12) arranged between anode electrodes (14), said cathode being divided into two equally long tube parts (15) designed with inner cylindrical electrode surfaces (A.sub.1, A.sub.2) between which a widened portion (16) is located and each anode electrode is connected via and insulator (13) to the end of each tube part (15) facing away from the widened portion. This widened portion of the cathode serves to divide the cathode which in turn stablized the current and the current density. It can also serve as a metal reservoir.

Abstract: The anode end of a gas laser is constructed so as to include an electrically and thermally insulating barrier between the Brewster window and the anode end of the tube bore thereby permitting cooler operating temperatures at the Brewster window and confinement of the electric discharge within the anode itself.

Abstract: Laser apparatus includes a gas filled tube and is arranged to act as a switch to trigger, within the tube itself, a discharge. The power dissipated in the discharge is applied to material which forms, or is to form, a laser amplifying medium, to provide pumping power. Thus, no external switch, such as a thyratron, is required, unlike conventional laser arrangements.

Abstract: A hollow metal member which holds a mirror of an optical resonator in a gas laser tube is electrically and mechanically connected with a hollow cathode by a spring. The spring is positioned either outside or on the inner surface of the hollow metal member and elastically forces one end of the cathode against the inner wall of the hollow metal member.

Abstract: A metal vapor laser intended to be excited by an electrical discharge pulsed through a metal vapor, consisting of a tubular chamber terminated at each end by a terminating flange, the terminating flange (1) having formed integrally with it a cold cathode structure having associated with it a multiplicity of electron generating devices (10, 11, 12) for non-thermionic generation of electrons. The electron generating devices (10, 11, 12) consist preferably of a series of annular grooves (10) formed in the surface of a bore of the terminating flange (1) and a circular groove or grooves (11) coaxial with the axis of the laser and cut in to a face of the terminating flange (1) facing directly into the discharge volume (8). Additionally, to increase carrying capability and facility for easily striking the discharge there is provide a ring of refractory metal pins (12) fixed into that surface of the terminating flange (1).

Abstract: Laser apparatus including a relatively long cylindrical cathode within a discharge tube containing a buffer gas at a low pressure of less than 1 Torr. By employing a laser constructed according to the invention, it is possible to achieve a plasma which extends along the length of the cathode, which may be up to one meter long.

Abstract: In a laser arrangement, solid or liquid material, at least part of which comprises a laser amplifying medium, is atomized in a gas prior to being applied to a discharge region. In one embodiment of the invention, the gas is combustible and is ignited to produce a flame which provides heating of the material. The invention is particularly applicable to metal vapour lasers.In another embodiment of the invention, the material is atomized in an inert gas and a discharge within a laser discharge tube is used to provide excitation.

Abstract: An FEL array is comprised of adjacent FEL modules. Each module preferably uses a ribbon beam plasma-anode E-gun (PAG) or another plasma-assisted E-gun to produce a planar E-beam that interacts with a planar wiggler magnetic field. The modules may share a common electron gun. A control signal is input through a phase priming array to preselect the radiation mode. A planar, distributed Bragg resonator/reflector is used to set up a high-Q cavity, enabling the low gain module to produce high power radiation. The FEL modules are arranged in an array to reduce the output radiation flux density while achieving high output power density in the far-field, and to permit beam steering by phase control of individual modules. The relatively low current density of the individual E-guns lessens the size of the guiding magnetic field in each module to the extent that the wiggler magnetic field alone is sufficient to perform this guiding function.

Abstract: In a high frequency discharge excitation laser device, an auxiliary electrode (3) is arranged close to main electrodes (21), (22), an auxiliary discharge is generated between the main and auxiliary electrodes in addition to a main discharge between the main electrodes, and a high frequency discharge is maintained, and accordingly, a laser light oscillation is maintained even in a low power state, so that a high precision machining becomes possible.

Abstract: A gas laser includes a laser cavity, mirror means defining an optical path in the cavity, electrodes defining an electric discharge path in the cavity, the electrodes including at least one anode member having a passage therethrough which at one end opens into the cavity, and gas supply means for injecting gas into the cavity through the passage, wherein the wall of the passage at said one end and the exterior of the anode member around the end of said passage is electrically insulated and an electrically conducting anode surface defining the root of the discharge is provided inwardly of the perimeter of the open end of the passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ring laser gyro which utilizes a gas impervious block containing at least three tunnels which meet to form a closed-loop, gas containing, cavity, and allow passage of laser beams therethrough. A pair of electrodes are positioned in alignment with one of the tunnels, and positioned relative to each other to support a current through the gas and establish a glow discharge region within a portion of one of the tunnels to induce a pair of counter-propogating laser beams to propogate through the established glow discharge region in a direction transverse to the direction of the discharge current.

Abstract: A metal vapor laser tube of the hollow-cathode type which is simplified in construction and can be assembled by a simple work without much skill and wherein a negative glow portion can be produced stably and an essential function is attained satisfactorily. The metal vapor laser tube comprises a central metal tube member serving as a cathode, and a pair of hard glass end tube members, metal cap members and holding tube members connected in this order in an air-tight relationship to the opposite ends of the central tube member. A Brewster window or a mirror is provided on each of the cap members. An anode member is securely inserted in each of a lot of through-holes formed in the central tube member by way of an insulating member such that an end thereof may be positioned in a discharge opening of the through-hole.