Abstract: A waveguide gas laser of improved stability and efficiency resulting from novel improvements. Such improvements, including longitudinal RF excitation, unique ballasting techniques, a novel drive circuit design that is immediately responsive to defeat unstable hot spot problems, and a controlled power excitation function, result in an RF excited waveguide gas laser that substantially overcomes disadvantages of prior art devices.In one embodiment the invention consists of a longitudinally excited RF waveguide laser in which the spacing geometry of the electrodes is variable independently of the waveguide chamber geometry resulting in increased performance efficiency. In addition, hot spot problems are eliminated or substantially reduced by capacitive ballasting achieved through novel structural configurations including electrodes that are isolated from the waveguide chamber by means of a suitable dielectric spacing medium such as ceramic or aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a sealed-off RF excited CO.sub.2 laser with a longer operating life. The invention, which relates to the method and the resulting laser, comprises means for stabilizing the laser gas chemistry otherwise affected by CO.sub.2 dissociation, O.sub.2 consumption, and outgassing of H.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. More specifically, the aluminum housing of the laser assembly is nickel-plated and then passivated by an oxidation technique using concentrated nitric acid. In addition, novel gettering substances, comprising either a group B metal or cellulose, are employed to adsorb hydrogen and/or water vapor to alleviate the outgassing problem.

Abstract: A waveguide gas laser of improved stability and efficiency resulting from novel improvements. Such improvements, including longitudinal RF excitation, unique ballasting techniques, a novel drive circuit design that is immediately responsive to defeat unstable hot spot problems, and a controlled power excitation function, result in an RF excited waveguide gas laser that substantially overcomes disadvantages of prior art devices.