Abstract: A dielectric electrode assembly, and a method of manufacture thereof, including: a dielectric tube having a cylindrical cross-section and a relative dielectric constant, ?2, the dielectric tube filled with a gas having a relative dielectric constant, ?1; a structural dielectric having a relative dielectric constant, ?3 surrounding the dielectric tube; metal electrodes on opposite sides of the structural dielectric, the metal electrodes having a flat cross-sectional geometry; and the structural dielectric made from a material selected such that the relative dielectric constants of the structural dielectric, the dielectric tube, and the gas are interrelated and a uniform electric field is generated within the dielectric tube when power is applied to the metal electrodes.

Abstract: A short cavity gas discharge laser stabilized by use of a highly reflective output coupler adjustably connected to a support isolated from the longitudinal thermal expansion of the laser enclosure. A flexible seal between the output coupler and the laser enclosure accommodates positional adjustment of the output coupler relative to the mirror to optimize performance. In one embodiment, the laser gas is contained by the enclosure and is in contact with the electrodes which divide the interior of the enclosure into two portions that provide gas ballast for the laser. In another embodiment a pair of electrodes are located adjacent to and outside of a discharge tube made of dielectric material. The laser discharge occurs in the discharge tube and the electrodes are not in physical contact with the discharge. Gas ballast is optionally provided through at least one reservoir in fluid communication with the discharge tube.