Abstract: A novel design for an RF pumped gas laser is provided by spiralling an RF in lead transmission line around a ceramic gas container. The pitch of the spiral and spacing between the leads of the transmission line are chosen to produce currents parallel to the axis of the spiral to provide more efficient energy transfer modes between the pump and the lasing gas.

Abstract: A gas laser is provided with elongated electrodes having apertures therein. he electrodes provide a transmission line for an HF electromagnetic pump which ionizes the gas, and the apertures are distributed and offset to provide passageways for efficient interaction between the hot ionized gas and a replenishing supply of cooled gas.

Abstract: A far-infrared laser structure is provided wherein a uniform longitudinal ectric field mode is provided for a radio frequency pump by means of a set of fully or near-fully circular ring shaped electrodes.

Abstract: An array of optical frequency-sensitive elements such as diffraction grats or interference filters are arranged in a row, and the optical path of the laser cavity can be directed to include one of these elements. A partitioned optical prism consisting of a triangular portion and one or more paralleogramatic portions are used to direct the path. Between the portions are piezoelectric elements which, when energized, expand to provide an air gap between the portions and to allow total reflection of an optical ray at the surface of the prism next to the gap.

Abstract: A high efficiency gas laser which utilizes transverse electrical excitation f a laser gas medium confined in a circular cylindrical volume. Limitation of the excitation energy to only the optical mode volume of the laser eliminates the inefficiency associated with conventional TEA laser technology in which a much larger gas volume is excited for a given optical mode volume. The present invention is comprised of a new design making possible the higher efficiencies through use of dielectric coupling between concave electrodes.