Abstract: A laser assembly includes a lasing medium enclosure for containing a lasing medium. A pumping source stimulates the lasing medium within the lasing medium enclosure. The laser assembly further includes a lasing medium supply reservoir for storing a quantity of the lasing medium therein. The lasing medium includes a fluid outlet and the lasing medium enclosure includes a fluid outlet. A fluid connection is provided between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and at least one fluid seal is associated with the fluid connection.

Abstract: An air-cooled gas laser assembly includes a gas discharge tube, and an air-cooled heat exchanger adjacent the gas discharge tube. A stationary intervening layer is mechanically and thermally connected between the gas discharge tube and the air-cooled heat exchanger and includes a thermally conductive pliable material. The stationary intervening layer may be in direct contact with the gas discharge tube and the air-cooled heat exchanger. The thermally conductive pliable material may include a paste material, a liquid, or a silicone rubber mixed with a metallic powder.

Abstract: A laser assembly, particularly one employing a gas lasing medium, has at least one lasing gas supply reservoir that is separate from the housing enclosure for the laser's optical cavity. A flexible or semi-flexible conduit supplies lasing gas from the reservoir to the optical cavity, so as to allow the laser per se and the gas reservoir to be manufactured separately and then connected by the tubing, thus simplifying the design and manufacturing process. The laser is preferably operated as a pulsed gas discharge laser that produces a continuous laser output. One or both of the laser's cavity mirrors may be coated with fine parallel lines which constrain the laser output to be linearly polarized. The lasing medium may have a stepwise or tapered structure, which provides for selection of the most desirable TEM00 mode. In addition, the lasing medium cavity may be cooled by a multiple cooling jacket structure to facilitate placement of the coolant inlet and outlet ports.