Abstract: A CO.sub.2 gas laser is equipped with a gas mixture control arrangement which introduces into the interior of the laser, of the constituent component of water, only hydrogen, in such amounts based on the instantaneous humidity of the gas mixture that the dew point of water vapor resulting from the combination of the thus introduced hydrogen with incidental oxygen present in the laser interior as an incident to the operation of the laser is maintained within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of surface hardening a metal corner includes the application of a laser beam to the surface, a portion of the beam being blocked by a cooled tube, so that the corner is heated by conduction from the heated areas.

Abstract: An isolator device that permits the passage of low-intensity radiation while blocking the passage of high-intensity radiation comprises a spatial filter and a gas cell that utilizes the phenomenon of thermal blooming to deflect high-intensity radiation so that it is blocked by the spatial filter.

Abstract: The high temperature properties of protective coatings, paricularly the oxidation resistance, is improved by the melting of a surface portion of the coating using a high intensity energy source. The surface melting refines and homogenizes the coating structure, thereby eliminating defects which would otherwise cause premature coating failure.

Abstract: An improved electrode configuration and method for the deposition of electrical energy into an electric discharge laser having a gas path transversely disposed to an optical axis and the electric field is disclosed. The electrode configuration includes a cathode, having a row of preionization electrodes with each preionization electrode typically having the configuration of a pin and power electrodes positioned downstream of and in a parallel relationship to the row of preionization electrodes wherein the power electrodes typically have a configuration of a rod, and a planar anode disposed opposite the cathode in a parallel relationship thereto, wherein the cathode and the anode define the gas path therebetween.

Abstract: Molten metal removed from a workpiece in a laser cutting operation is blown away from the cutting point by a gas jet and collected on an electromagnet.

Abstract: A method is described for the production of bulk rapidly solidified metallic articles of near-net shape, by depositing multiple thin layers of feedstock using an energy beam to fuse each layer onto a substrate. The feedstock may be in the form of metal powder or wire. Different finished geometries are also described.