Abstract: A hollow cathode type metal ion laser utilizing negative glow discharge for generating a laser beam. A hollow cathode is inserted into a glass tube, and there are provided springs between opposite ends of the hollow cathode and adjacent ends of the glass tube respectively.

Abstract: A metal ion laser includes a glass tube, a hollow cathode installed in the glass tube, a plurality of anodes arranged on the glass tube, a pair of Brewster windows fixed to both end of the glass tube, at least one of reservoir recessed in the glass tube for storing a metal material to be evaporated, and at least one of communicating passage formed in the hollow cathode corresponding to each the reservoir so as to communicate between each reservoir and the inside of the hollow cathode. A cooling element is arranged on the glass tube, between the Brewster window and each end of the hollow cathode. A cooling system is arranged in a casing for the laser. The sputtered product is mainly deposited on the inner wall of the reservoir nearby the communicating passage, and the rest of the sputtered product and the vapored materials are deposited at the cooling element arranged between each end of the hollow cathode and each Brewster window.

Abstract: A helium-cadmium ion laser is disclosed which has a tubular housing hermetically closed at both ends by Brewster windows and having a hollow cathode mounted therein. Disposed outside the hollow cathode and open to its interior are a row of primary anodes and a row of metal chambers containing a metal material to be vaporized. A pair of secondary anodes are further disposed adjacent the opposite ends of the hollow cathode for protecting the Brewster windows from contamination by the metal vapor by sending it back into the hollow cathode. In order to prevent the metal vapor from depositing on the ends of the hollow cathode on being thus sent back, a pair of tubular insulators are coaxially mounted next to the opposite ends of the hollow cathode for the passage of the metal vapor therethrough. Each tubular insulator has a bore including a smaller diameter portion away from the hollow cathode, and a larger diameter portion closer to the hollow cathode.

Abstract: A He-Cd ion laser of the type having a series of anodes open to the interior of a hollow cathode, a series of metal chambers containing a supply of Cd to be vaporized, and a heater for heating the metal chambers for vaporizing the Cd supply. For holding constant the Cd vapor pressure within the hollow cathode and, in consequence, the intensity of the output beam, an electric control system is provided which comprises a constant current regulator connected to each anode for supplying a constant current thereto, and a heater control circuit for controlling the magnitude of a current fed to the metal chamber heater so as to hold the output voltage of each constant current regulator equal to a reference voltage.