Abstract: An improved sealed-off RF-excited gas laser and method for its manufacture. The resonator section of the laser consists of four optically reflecting longitudinal walls which define the laser bore and plasma section. A concave mirror is mounted on one end of the resonator and a flat or concave output coupler is mounted at the other end. The laser resonator operates in a non-waveguide non-free space mode utilizing wall reflections. Artifacts are introduced at the optically reflecting walls to define a stable oscillatory axis and mode structure by favoring the establishment of stable reflection points along the length of the walls. These artifacts are created by carefully defined bends and tapers in some of the walls to create high mode purity, stability and relatively uncritical optical alignments.

Abstract: A system for improved drive and matching between an RF power source and a plasma tube in a laser system. The system uses standard 50 or 75 ohm quarter wave transmission lines as the sole interconnect and matching elements between discharge electrodes and drive transistors. The drive transistos may be operated in deep saturation or as switches providing near square wave output to approach the 100 percent theoretical electrical efficiency of switching power supplies. The system features better initial breakdown, bettwer discharge uniformity and power stability under narrow drive pulse conditions, lower matching electrical losses, and extreme simplicity and low cost.