Abstract: A solid state laser medium for use in a solid state laser oscillator uses a hollow cylindrical solid state laser medium which is formed cylindrically in order to improve the cooling efficiency of the laser. The laser includes a pumping device for exciting the laser medium and an optical resonator that is arranged on both ends in the axial direction of the laser medium. The pumping device includes a plurality of flash lamps that are arranged on the outside, with respect to the central longitudinal access of the laser medium, of the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical laser medium and an outer reflector that is arranged so as to enclose the flash lamps and the laser medium, from the outside, with respect to the central longitudinal access of the laser medium, of the flash lamps, and a cylindrical inner reflector with outer diameter which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the laser medium, the inner reflector being inserted in the cavity of the laser medium.

Abstract: A laser tube for a laser generator used in a laser machining tool is formed by a plurality of disks laminated together to form an integral unit. The disks have a main hole for the passage of laser gas and at least one sub-hole for a sub-flow of laser gas. The sub-hole of each disk is connected with the respective main hole of the disk by a gas injection channel through which laser gas is injected into the main hole at a plurality of longitudinal positions in the laser tube to provide a homogeneous laser gas velocity distribution in the laser tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input/output fiber coupling device for an optical fiber. The device includes a chamber wall having an opening at one side and a bore at the opposite side. The chamber wall forms a cavity therein. A focusing lens fits within the opening, the lens having input and output laser beam paths aligned with the fiber longitudinal axis, and focuses a laser beam onto the end face of the fiber which is inserted into the cavity through the bore. An index-matching fluid circulates within the cavity between the lens and the fiber end face.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the discharge voltage of a laser generator comprising a monitor means which detects, at positive electrodes, voltage differences between neighboring laser tubes. The monitor means may include a first monitor to detect voltage at a positive electrode and a second monitor connected to the first to perform a predetermined operation. In the event of an abnormal discharge, the predetermined operation may be a warning signal or an automatic adjustment in power source voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser system that has an optical resonator, a laser medium included in the optical resonator, a pumping device for exciting the laser medium, and a device for tuning the laser action. The tuning device includes an optically aberrated lens element located in the optical resonator. The profile of the laser beam is determined by the focal length of the central rays and abberation parameter of the abberated lens element.

Abstract: A method of operating and apparatus for an optical bistable device is disclosed in which an active laser medium is placed between two mirrors within an optical resonator and bistable switching is achieved by operating the active resonator across the transition borderline between the stable and unstable resonator regions. Several different embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser device in which an optical resonator and a slab-geometry laser medium are dioposed within said optical resonator. There is also a pump which optically excites said laser medium from one or both sides of the slab-geometry laser medium.

Abstract: A gas oscillator consisting of a plurality of laser tubes with discharge electrodes arranged in a straight line so that the cathodes are next to each other, a gas drive, a heat exchanger to cool a laser gas and an exhaust device provided to expel the laser gas from the laser tubes and containing an injection device for non-ionized gas to separate and expel the ionized gas from the laser tubes so as to suppress electrical discharges between the cathodes of the laser oscillator.

Abstract: An optical system for a folded cavity laser has a partially transmitting output mirror and a fully reflective folding mirror on one side of an active laser medium, and another folding mirror on the other side of the active laser medium disposed so that a resonating laser beam inside the resonator cavity may make multiple passes to obtain a long effective cavity length. Means are provided for adjusting at least one of the folding mirrors so that the laser beam resonates within the cavity. Means are also provided for adjusting the output mirror so that misalignments of the folding mirrors are compensated.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the initiation of plasma discharge inside a gaseous discharge tube, some form of pre-ionizing the gas is required. This invention describes a technique whereby a small but intense discharge region is created near the cathode of a d.c. discharge in order to generate the necessary electrons to initiate the formation of the main electrical discharge. It makes use of the high negative voltage that is applied on the discharge cathode with respect to the discharge anode. A third auxiliary pin electrode near the cathode is introduced into the discharge tube. It is connected on the outside to the anode through a resistor of a suitable value. In the presence of a high voltage across the main electrodes, corona discharge occurs near the auxiliary electrode. This leads to the formation of a small region of intense discharge between it and the cathode. The electron generated in this small discharge region would drift towards the anode under the high electric field between the main electrodes.

Abstract: A mirror adjustment device in a laser oscillator has a mirror holder which is mounted for free rotation about the X and Y axes of the laser. Pivot means are supported on the mirror holder bracket and about the mirror holder and drive means are connected with the pivot means to selectively rotate the mirror holder to adjust the mirror. Injection holes are also provided in the mirror holder whereby fresh laser gas may be injected in the direction of the mirror to clean and cool the mirror.

Abstract: A holder for the rear mirror of a laser generator has a pressure balance orifice formed in the block supporting the rear mirror in the mirror mounting member. The orifice equalizes the pressure between the chamber through which the laser passes and a chamber formed by the support block and the rear mirror. An additional pressure balance orifice is formed in the support block between a chamber formed by a power monitor supported in the support block and the chamber formed by the rear mirror in the support block, thus equalizing the pressure between these chambers. Another pressure balance orifice is formed in an addditional block supporting a total reflection mirror in the mirror mounting member, between the laser chamber and a chamber formed by the total reflection mirror in the block. Pressure is thus equalized between these two chambers.

Abstract: Adjustment of the rear or output mirror of a laser oscillator is performed by pivoting a laser mirror holder about three pivot points connecting the laser mirror holder and a support bracket. The first and third pivot points form an X-axis about which the holder may be rotated and the second and third pivot points form a Y-axis about which the holder may be rotated. The first and second pivot points are mounted so as to displace the holder in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the holder. Two control motors are disposed with their actuating shafts transverse to the central longitudinal of the laser mirror holder, at opposite sides of the side surface of the holder and act against the first and second pivot points to adjust the angular alignment of the laser mirrors.

Abstract: A high-speed axial flow gas laser oscillator has plurality of laser tubes arranged parallel to and interconnected with one another to form a plurality of parallel, straight length sections for resonating and amplifying a laser gas, electrode means associated with the laser tubes for ionizing and thereby incidently heating a laser gas circulated therethrough, means for circulating the laser gas through the laser oscillator, and heat exchanger means for cooling the laser gas circulated through the laser oscillator. A plurality of gas recirculation paths are positioned on opposite sides of the laser gas circulating means and are disposed symmetrically with respect to the laser gas circulating means and the parallel, straight length sections formed by the laser tubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a specific holding structure of a slab geometry crystal for a total internal reflection, slab geometry laser (otherwise known as face pumped laser) device. Both sides of the crystal are held by side rails, and on both longitudinal end portions of the crystal o-ring backing flanges and box-shaped end pieces, respectively, are put on. Furthermore, an o-ring is put in between the end piece and the o-ring backing flange on each end portion of the crystal, and it is compressed to seal the crystal. This o-ring can be made of translucent elastomer. Accordingly, the slab geometry laser device that is compact and easy to remove from, or place into the pump station is provided.

Abstract: A laser generator has a discharge unit which is freely mountable on and dismountable from the laser generator as an integral unit. The discharge unit includes a pair of laser tubes, a pair of flow control units, and a manifold block. Clamp blocks support the laser tubes against movement in the lateral and vertical directions and tapered liners allow adjustment of the height of the laser tubes. Hangers are included in the discharge unit so that the laser tubes may be suspended during mounting and dismounting.

Abstract: A flow control device in a laser generator has a flow control valve disposed opposite a ring member to form an orifice. Laser gas flows from an inlet port into the flow control device, through the orifice, through the flow control valve and into the laser tube. The flow control valve is moveable axially toward and away from the ring member to vary the orifice to control the flow of laser gas in the laser tube. The laser tube also has a sub-hole for a sub-flow of laser gas in the laser tube. A throttling valve is disposed in the flow control device to throttle the flow of laser gas in the sub-hole.

Abstract: A laser tube holder allows axial alignment of the laser tube with a laser oscillator. An inner eccentric holder and an outer eccentric holder have eccentric outer surfaces and rotatably support a cylindrical laser tube joint holder on a support plate in the laser oscillator. When the eccentric holders are rotated the laser tube is axially displaced for alignment. Flanges on each of the eccentric holders are disposed on opposite sides of the support plate. An O-ring and a pressure ring disposed in a groove in one of the flanges allow adjustment of the pressure on which the eccentric holder are retained on the support plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable laser and optic system for processing which includes a laser beam cutting machine for focusing a laser beam including a first base for supporting an overhead beam by a post, the overhead beam having a laser beam conduit, a mirror assembly and a condenser lens for focusing the laser beam. A laser generator is supported on a second base for generating and feeding the laser beam to the laser cutting machine. Thg laser generator has a laser beam outlet arranged in alignment with the axis of the beam conduit in the overhead beam such that the laser beam generated is delivered to the mirror assembly in a straight line. Also provided is an element for connecting the first base and the second base, and an adjustment device associated with the second base for horizontally adjusting the laser generator in relation to the cutting machine, and a workpiece positioning device mounted on the first base for feeding the workpiece to the processing zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser processing machine. A table supports a workpiece to be processed at a work area. A processing head assembly is arranged above the table. A nozzle is connected at a lower end of the processing head assembly and applies a laser beam to the workpiece together with an assisting gas at the work area. A device is provided at the work area for supplying air to keep the workpiece to be processed afloat while the laser beam is being applied to the workpiece together with the assisting gas. A similar device is provided at the lower end of the processing head assembly for supplying air to keep the workpiece to be processed from going up into contact with the processing head assembly while the laser beam is being applied to the workpiece together with the assisting gas. These devices for supplying air include a plurality of air chambers.