Abstract: A CO2 laser that generates laser-radiation in just one emission band of a CO2 gas-mixture has resonator mirrors that form an unstable resonator and at least one spectrally-selective element located on the optical axis of the resonator. The spectrally-selective element may be in the form of one or more protruding or recessed surfaces. Spectral-selectivity is enhanced by forming a stable resonator along the optical axis that includes the spectrally-selective element. The CO2 laser is tunable between emission bands by translating the spectrally-selective element along the optical axis.

Abstract: A CO2 laser that generates laser-radiation in just one emission band of a CO2 gas-mixture has resonator mirrors that form an unstable resonator and at least one spectrally-selective element located on the optical axis of the resonator. The spectrally-selective element may be in the form of one or more protruding or recessed surfaces. Spectral-selectivity is enhanced by forming a stable resonator along the optical axis that includes the spectrally-selective element. The CO2 laser is tunable between emission bands by translating the spectrally-selective element along the optical axis.

Abstract: A CO2 laser that generates laser-radiation in just one emission band of a CO2 gas-mixture has resonator mirrors that form an unstable resonator and at least one spectrally-selective element located on the optical axis of the resonator. The spectrally-selective element may be in the form of one or more protruding or recessed surfaces. Spectral-selectivity is enhanced by forming a stable resonator along the optical axis that includes the spectrally-selective element. The CO2 laser is tunable between emission bands by translating the spectrally-selective element along the optical axis.

Abstract: Laser-drilling apparatus includes a gas-discharge for laser emitting laser-radiation pulses, and two acousto-optic modulators (AOMs). The laser radiation pulses are characterized as having two temporal central portions between temporal leading and trailing edge portions. The AOMs are arranged to spatially separate the central temporal portions of the pulses from each other and from the leading and trailing edge portions of the pulses.

Abstract: A CO2 laser that generates laser-radiation in just one emission band of a CO2 gas-mixture has resonator mirrors that form an unstable resonator and at least one spectrally-selective element located on the optical axis of the resonator. The spectrally-selective element may be in the form of one or more protruding or recessed surfaces. Spectral-selectivity is enhanced by forming a stable resonator along the optical axis that includes the spectrally-selective element. The CO2 laser is tunable between emission bands by translating the spectrally-selective element along the optical axis.

Abstract: Laser-drilling apparatus includes a gas-discharge for laser emitting laser-radiation pulses, and two acousto-optic modulators (AOMs). The laser radiation pulses are characterized as having two temporal central portions between temporal leading and trailing edge portions. The AOMs are arranged to spatially separate the central temporal portions of the pulses from each other and from the leading and trailing edge portions of the pulses.

Abstract: Apparatus for drilling a via-hole in a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a carbon monoxide laser deliver laser radiation pulses. The pulses have a relatively broad wavelength-range, and slow rising and falling edges. The rising and falling edges of the pulses are clipped using and acousto-optic modulator. A dispersion-compensator compensates for dispersion in the clipped pulses introduced by the AOM. Achromatic focusing optics focus the dispersion-compensated, clipped pulses on the PCB for the via-hole drilling.

Abstract: In a CO2 gas-discharge slab-laser comprising an unstable resonator constrained by a waveguide formed by planar discharge-electrodes, parasitic side-lobes appear on either side of a delivered main mode in a direction perpendicular to the electrode plane. A rotationally adjustable aperture is provided for transmitting the main mode and blocking the parasitic side-lobes.

Abstract: Apparatus for drilling a via-hole in a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a carbon monoxide laser deliver laser radiation pulses. The pulses have a relatively broad wavelength-range, and slow rising and falling edges. The rising and falling edges of the pulses are clipped using and acousto-optic modulator. A dispersion-compensator compensates for dispersion in the clipped pulses introduced by the AOM. Achromatic focusing optics focus the dispersion-compensated, clipped pulses on the PCB for the via-hole drilling.

Abstract: Laser systems have a line-narrowed master oscillator and a power oscillator for amplifying the output of the master oscillator. The power oscillator includes optical arrangements for limiting the bandwidth of radiation that can be amplified. The limited amplification bandwidth of the power oscillator is relatively broad compared to that of the output of the master oscillator, but narrower than would be the case without the bandwidth limiting arrangements. The bandwidth narrowing arrangements of the power oscillator function primarily to restrict the bandwidth of amplified spontaneous emission generated by the power oscillator.

Abstract: A CO2 gas discharge laser includes a housing enclosing spaced-apart electrodes and a lasing gas. A laser resonator extends between the spaced-apart electrodes. An RF power supply provides RF power for creating a discharge in the lasing gas, causing laser radiation to be delivered by the laser resonator. The power of the output radiation is directly dependent on the RF power provided to the electrodes and inversely dependent of the temperature of the gas discharge. A signal representative of the discharge-temperature is used to adjust the RF power supplied to the electrodes such that the power of the output radiation is about constant.

Abstract: A CO2 gas discharge laser includes a housing enclosing spaced-apart electrodes and a lasing gas. A laser resonator extends between the spaced-apart electrodes. An RF power supply provides RF power for creating a discharge in the lasing gas, causing laser radiation to be delivered by the laser resonator. The power of the output radiation is directly dependent on the RF power provided to the electrodes and inversely dependent of the temperature of the gas discharge. A signal representative of the discharge-temperature is used to adjust the RF power supplied to the electrodes such that the power of the output radiation is about constant.

Abstract: A CO2 gas discharge laser includes elongated planar live and ground electrodes vertically spaced and electrically insulated from each. The electrodes are spaced apart by ceramic spacer strips arranged along the edges of the electrodes. An auxiliary electrode is located at each end of the live electrode, co-planar with the live electrode, longitudinally spaced part from the live electrode vertically spaced apart from, but electrically connected to, the ground electrode. The auxiliary electrode has two raised portions spaced apart by a distance less than the distance between inside edges of the ceramic strips. The raised portions of the auxiliary electrode prevent erosion of the ceramic strips by laser radiation generated in the resonator when the laser is operating.

Abstract: Laser systems have a line-narrowed master oscillator and a power oscillator for amplifying the output of the master oscillator. The power oscillator includes optical arrangements for limiting the bandwidth of radiation that can be amplified. The limited amplification bandwidth of the power oscillator is relatively broad compared to that of the output of the master oscillator, but narrower than would be the case without the bandwidth limiting arrangements. The bandwidth narrowing arrangements of the power oscillator function primarily to restrict the bandwidth of amplified spontaneous emission generated by the power oscillator.

Abstract: Laser systems have a line-narrowed master oscillator and a power oscillator for amplifying the output of the master oscillator. The power oscillator includes optical arrangements for limiting the bandwidth of radiation that can be amplified. The limited amplification bandwidth of the power oscillator is relatively broad compared to that of the output of the master oscillator, but narrower than would be the case without the bandwidth limiting arrangements. The bandwidth narrowing arrangements of the power oscillator function primarily to restrict the bandwidth of amplified spontaneous emission generated by the power oscillator.

Abstract: A CO2 gas discharge laser includes elongated planar live and ground electrodes vertically spaced and electrically insulated from each. The electrodes are spaced apart by ceramic spacer strips arranged along the edges of the electrodes. An auxiliary electrode is located at each end of the live electrode, co-planar with the live electrode, longitudinally spaced part from the live electrode vertically spaced apart from, but electrically connected to, the ground electrode. The auxiliary electrode has two raised portions spaced apart by a distance less than the distance between inside edges of the ceramic strips. The raised portions of the auxiliary electrode prevent erosion of the ceramic strips by laser radiation generated in the resonator when the laser is operating.

Abstract: A RF shielded, series inductor, high power impedance matching network interconnector is provided for connecting an RF power supply to electrodes contained in the shielded, hermetically sealed laser tube housing of a slab laser system. The impedance matching interconnector comprises a short length of co-axial conductor and an impedance matching network that includes two L shaped networks. The inner conductor of the co-axial conductor is connected between the power supply output and the impedance matching network. The outer conductor of the co-axial conductor is grounded. The co-axial conductor has an impedance characteristic to match the power supply output impedance. The first L-shaped network includes a first inductor having a first end connected to the inner conductor of the co-axial conductor and a first capacitor connected to the second end of the first inductor and a second plate connected to ground.

Abstract: A RF shielded, series inductor, high power impedance matching network interconnector is provided for connecting an RF power supply to electrodes contained in the shielded, hermetically sealed laser tube housing of a slab laser system. The impedance matching interconnector comprises a short length of co-axial conductor and an impedance matching network that includes two L shaped networks. The inner conductor of the co-axial conductor is connected between the power supply output and the impedance matching network. The outer conductor of the co-axial conductor is grounded. The co-axial conductor has an impedance characteristic to match the power supply output impedance. The first L-shaped network includes a first inductor having a first end connected to the inner conductor of the co-axial conductor and a first capacitor connected to the second end of the first inductor and a second plate connected to ground.

Abstract: Laser systems have a line-narrowed master oscillator and a power oscillator for amplifying the output of the master oscillator. The power oscillator includes optical arrangements for limiting the bandwidth of radiation that can be amplified. The limited amplification bandwidth of the power oscillator is relatively broad compared to that of the output of the master oscillator, but narrower than would be the case without the bandwidth limiting arrangements. The bandwidth narrowing arrangements of the power oscillator function primarily to restrict the bandwidth of amplified spontaneous emission generated by the power oscillator.

Abstract: Laser systems have a line-narrowed master oscillator and a power oscillator for amplifying the output of the master oscillator. The power oscillator includes optical arrangements for limiting the bandwidth of radiation that can be amplified. The limited amplification bandwidth of the power oscillator is relatively broad compared to that of the output of the master oscillator, but narrower than would be the case without the bandwidth limiting arrangements. The bandwidth narrowing arrangements of the power oscillator function primarily to restrict the bandwidth of amplified spontaneous emission generated by the power oscillator.