Abstract: A rotatable, bakeable vacuum sealed mount for an optical element, suitable for use on an endbell assembly for a gas discharge tube or as an integral part of a gas discharge tube for an ion laser comprises an elongated support member, having an axis and a passage along the axis of the support member. A first end of the support member is connected by a vacuum tight seal to the vacuum sealed chamber of the gas discharge tube, so that the passage has an opening toward the vacuum sealed chamber. A second end of the support member is connectable by vacuum tight seal to the optic, so that the second end of the passage has an opening toward the optic. A portion of the support member has a yield strength allowing adjustment by twisting of the support member about the axis for establishing a rotational alignment of the optic without breaking the vacuum of the vacuum sealed chamber.

Abstract: A disk, or heat web, is generally circularly shaped, and has a circumferential lip normal to the plane of the disk. A split ring, fabricated from a material having a low co-efficient of thermal expansion fits within the circumferential lip. A generally circularly shaped expansion member, made from a material having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion, fits within the split ring. A suitable brazing material is placed between the split ring and the circumferential lip of the disk. The heat produced by the brazing process expands the split ring and allows it to be brazed into place when the assembly is placed on the inside of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A discharge tube for a gas laser including an elongated cylindrical tube, a plurality of heat-conduction members spaced apart along the cylindrical tube and about the tube axis and having gas-flow return holes near the outer perimeter thereof, and a plurality of non-conductive, pronged, disc-shaped blocking members being positioned, respectively, in the space between and outside the volume of adjacent heat conduction members so as to be unattached to either adjacent heat conduction member.

Abstract: A plasma tube for a gas laser includes a series of heat webs and insulative spacers between the heat webs, with tungsten bore insert members supported by the heat webs and having aligned apertures defining a laser discharge path. To produce the plasma tube, the heat webs, spacers and other connected components are assembled in a vertical stack outside the ceramic tube of the laser, with a stacking gauge which helps assure that the heat webs are correctly spaced apart within close tolerances. The heat webs lie adjacent to annular metallized areas on the inside surface of the ceramic tube when the assembly is inserted into the tube, which is precision-formed ceramic tubing. The tube assembly is heated in vertical orientation to expand the heat webs diametrically so that they engage outwardly against and are brazed to the metallized areas of the ceramic tube.

Abstract: A plasma tube for a gas laser includes a series of heat webs and insulative spacers between the heat webs, with tungsten bore insert members supported by the heat webs and having aligned apertures defining a laser discharge path. To produce the plasma tube, the heat webs, spacers and other connected components are assembled in a vertical stack outside the ceramic tube of the laser, with a stacking gauge which helps assure that the heat webs are correctly spaced apart within close tolerances. The heat webs lie adjacent to annular metallized areas on the inside surface of the ceramic tube when the assembly is inserted into the tube, which is precision-formed ceramic tubing. The tube assembly is heated in vertical orientation to expand the heat webs diametrically so that they engage outwardly against and are brazed to the metallized areas of the ceramic tube.

Abstract: A plasma tube for a gas laser includes a series of heat webs and insulative spacers between the heat webs, with tungsten bore insert members supported by the heat webs and having aligned apertures defining a laser discharge path. To produce the plasma tube, the heat webs, spacers and other connected components are assembled in a vertical stack outside the ceramic tube of the laser, with a stacking gauge which helps assure that the heat webs are correctly spaced apart within close tolerances. The heat webs lie adjacent to annular metallized areas on the inside surface of the ceramic tube when the assembly is inserted into the tube, which is precision-formed ceramic tubing. The tube assembly is heated in vertical orientation to expand the heat webs diametrically so that they engage outwardly against and are brazed to the metallized areas of the ceramic tube.