Abstract: A laser arrangement includes an outer envelope and an inner alumina tube between which insulating material is located. The insulating material has a plurality of apertures therein in its transverse end faces, the aperture being arranged at each end on two circle of similar radii. Hydrogen reservoirs are located within the apertures. During operation of the laser arrangement, the reservoirs become heated causing hydrogen to be evolved and diffused through to the laser active medium, improving the efficiency of the laser operation. When laser action ceases, the arrangement cools and hydrogen returns to the reservoirs. Efficiency enhancing gases other than hydrogen may be used in the arrangement.

Abstract: Metal vapor laser apparatus includes a laser tube and a reactor chamber in which is contained metal which may be copper in the form of granules. Neon is introduced via one input port of the chamber and a halogen or halogen donor gas through another input port. A coil surrounds the reactor chamber and provides heating to its interior. The gas passes over the metal to form metal halide at its surface and is vaporized by the heating effects. The buffer gas and metal halide are then transmitted via a conduit into the laser tube where dissociation of the metal halide and subsequent excitation of metal vapor is carried out to produce laser radiation.

Abstract: Laser apparatus includes hydrogen or deuterium buffer gas and dispenser reservoirs which contain a hydride or deuteride as appropriate. As gas molecules from the buffer gas are lost within the discharge tube due to trapping and sputtering processes, hydrogen or deuterium is given off from the surfaces of the reservoirs at a greater rate to maintain the vapor pressure within the discharge tube at a substantially constant level. Thus the laser apparatus may operate in a "sealed-off" mode, that is without requiring that buffer gas be flowed through it.

Abstract: Laser apparatus includes an outer envelope which contains a plurality of laser discharge tubes. Each of the laser discharge tubes includes copper pieces which, when vaporised, acts as a laser amplifying medium. Each of the laser discharge tubes is of the maximum volume compatible with good efficiency which, when combined with the output power of the other tubes, enables a very high power output to be achieved compared with previously known tubes.