Abstract: A laser oscillator has a casing 10. A cooling medium is supplied from an inlet port 134 to a heat exchanger 8 via a pipe 35, and discharged form it via a pipe 37 and an outlet port 136. The ports 134 and 136 are symmetrically positioned relative to a center line of the casing when seen from upward. An inlet port 340 and an outlet port 342 have a similar positional relation ship thereto.

Abstract: A laser system wherein, in order that a high-output and high-quality single mode of a cross sectional area larger than the beam diameter determined by the construction of a resonator can be obtained stably, although this has heretofore been impossible, there is used a coupling mirror provided with a partial reflection film and an antireflecting film, a laser beam mode is selected using the partial reflection film, a phase difference between laser beam portions caused by a difference in construction between the partial reflection film and the antireflecting film is compensated using a phase difference compensating means, and there is formed an aperture whose diameter is set to a value of not larger than four times the diameter of the partial reflection film.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus which makes it possible to select a laser beam mode always optimally suited to processing of a workpiece on the basis of a change in the focusing characteristic of each mode and the amount of movement of the beam's focal point with respect to a change in a laser output value. The laser processing apparatus includes a laser oscillator capable of changing the beam mode of its laser beam, and a processing table, all controlled by a controller which operates to change the beam mode of the oscillator in correspondence with a laser output during processing.

Abstract: A laser system wherein, in order that a high-output and high-quality single mode of a cross sectional area larger than the beam diameter determined by the construction of a resonator can be obtained stably, although this has heretofore been impossible, there is used a coupling mirror provided with a partial reflection film and an antireflecting film, a laser beam mode is selected using the partial reflection film, a phase difference between laser beam portions caused by a difference in construction between the partial reflection film and the antireflecting film is compensated using a phase difference compensating apparatus, and there is formed an aperture whose diameter is set to a value of not larger than four times the diameter of the partial reflection film.

Abstract: A laser oscillator that has a resonator cavity defined by oppositely disposed discharge electrodes as well as a plurality of total reflecting mirrors and a partial reflecting mirror, the resonator cavity volume containing the path of a laser beam generated by the oscillator. A laser gas medium is used to control the temperature of the oscillator and is directed in a main flow generally transverse to the path of the laser. A side flow is taken from the main flow and is directed by a duct to a position in the vicinity of the partial reflecting mirror. In order to avoid excess heating of the gas medium in the vicinity of the partial reflecting mirror and to avoid directly impacting the mirror with the gas medium, a U-shaped structure is disposed at the exit of the side flow duct, proximate to the mirror, for directing the side flow in the vicinity of but away from the mirror.

Abstract: A laser oscillator comprising a laser resonator having a plurality of mirrors for directing the laser energy from source to exit apertures, the mirrors being constructed and mounted adjustably for reducing parasitic oscillations. The mirrors are mounted in adjusting members that have channels therein for coolant and are provided with heat insulating members that minimize heat gradients and unwanted heat transfers that may result in the distortion of the reflecting surfaces. In addition, the mirrors are angled so that light paths are defined that present a Z-shaped turning pattern. Apertures proximate to the mirrors through which the light beams are directed are offset from a common plane so that a reflective surface is not within the aperture of the opposing reflective surface. One or more of the apertures can be so offset to reduce the possibility of parasitic oscillations. Further, the reflectors can be angled and the apertures sized so as to eliminate parasitic oscillations.

Abstract: A laser oscillator having an enclosure serving as a vacuum vessel which is capable of preventing an electric discharge from occurring between a pair of electrodes and the inner surface of the vacuum vessel. The laser oscillator is made smaller in size, lower in total weight, and lower in manufacturing cost while securing a sufficient insulation gap between the electrodes and the inner surface of the vacuum vessel.