Abstract: The performance of a carbon monoxide laser is improved by coating the walls of the surface facing the discharge with a precious metal chosen from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium and iridium. The precious metal coating is configured into segments which do not interfere with the electrical discharge.

Abstract: A device and process using Ag.sub.2 O.sub.2 and Ag.sub.2 O.sub.3 as a catalyst for oxidizing carbon monoxide to form CO.sub.2 at temperatures between 20.degree. C. and 120.degree. C. This has particular application to CO.sub.2 lasers. In one CO.sub.2 laser embodiment, silver is distributed on the walls of the discharge volume. The silver is divided to form electrically isolated islands to prevent interference with the discharge. After an activation process, energetic forms of oxygen, such as atomic oxygen, reacts with the silver to form endothermic silver oxides which can be easily reduced by CO. In another embodiment, the Ag.sub.2 O.sub.2 or Ag.sub.2 O.sub.3 catalyst is used in a convective flow laser.

Abstract: In laser apparatus, an amplification section of a laser apparatus, including a cavity bounded by first and second opposing surfaces, closely spaced relative to the dimensions of the surfaces, electrodes for generating an electric field within the cavity and magnetic devices for creating a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces, with provision for shaping the electric field so that the electric field is relatively narrow in the dimension parallel to the magnetic field compared to the dimension perpendicular to both the magnetic field vector and the electric field vector established between electrodes within the cavity. The electrodes extend over a distance greater than the spacing between electrodes. An electrical discharge is established with the magnetic field exerting a force on the discharge to move the discharge parallel to the surfaces with the predetermined magnetic field strength causing the discharge to become uniform and stable.

Abstract: A device and process using a gold as a catalyst for oxidizing carbon monoxide to form CO.sub.2 at ambient temperatures. This has particular application to CO.sub.2 lasers. In one CO.sub.2 laser embodiment, gold is distributed on the walls of the discharge volume. The gold is divided to form electrically isolated islands to prevent interference with the discharge. Energetic forms of oxygen, such as atomic oxygen reacts with CO on the gold catalyst. In another embodiment, the gold catalyst is used in a convective flow laser.

Abstract: A non-contact laser engraving apparatus for reproducing on a workpiece an image, the image being formed on or in proximate relationship to a specularly reflecting surface of a cyclindrical mirror being scanned laterally by a laser beam with the mirror in a focal plane. The image is formed of a diffusely reflective substance with the beam then being appropriately brought to a focus at the workpiece. Translation mechanism are provided for providing relative movement between the workpiece and the image for recreating the image as an engraving in the workpiece. Several embodiments are illustrated utilizing mirrors or lenses or a combination of both for providing the scanning and focusing functions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating chipping at the exit surface of a saw blade through material such as wood or the like, the apparatus including a laser source emitting a laser beam which is focused to provide one or more grooves at the surface of the wood in general alignment with the line of cut in advance thereof. In a first embodiment a single groove is formed by a focused laser beam at a spot just ahead of the saw blade which may be positioned for one edge of the teeth thereof cutting through the center of the groove to produce one finished cut edge. In the other embodiments, two focused beams are created from a single beam for producing parallel grooves at a width approximating the width of cut of the saw blade to produce finished edges on both sides of the saw cut.

Abstract: A laser apparatus for use in laser cutting of a plurality of sheets of smoke-sensitive, heat-sensitive material in aligned stacked relation, the apparatus including a base member assembly for producing a magnetic field and for supporting the stack with a template formed of a generally rigid, magnetic material, the pull of the magnetic field on the template urging adjacent sheets into intimate surface contact to substantially eliminate voids therebetween during the cutting process. The template is preferably plated or coated with a reflective substance such as chromium, and the magnetic field may be created by an array of permanent magnets on a magnetic sheet.

Abstract: A non-contact laser engraving apparatus and process for producing laser paper cuts, the apparatus including optics for scanning the laser beam through a condensing optical system having its focus point at the position of a metal mask template, the non-reflected rays passing on to an optical device at a point where all rays of the scanning laser beam are superimposed and there is no apparent movement, the focal length of the optical device being selected so that the template configuration is reimaged on the paper on the other side of the optical device. The optical devices and components may be lenses or mirrors. The process and apparatus is usable with moving paper by motion of the template and paper at the same time at a speed proportional to the ratio of distance between the paper and optical device, and the distance between the optical device and template.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and method for producing a deckle edge on laser cut paper, the apparatus including a laser source projecting a laser beam intercepted by an optical device for providing a line focus of the beam on the paper, with the line focused beam having an energy gradient on the paper adjacent the intended edge, the movement of the paper relative to the beam, in conjunction with the inhomogeneous nature of the paper providing a deckle edge having differing degrees of etch adjacent the cut edge. The optical device is a spherical mirror set off-axis relative to the primary laser beam.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for making high-powered lasers. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for utilizing a spiral cooling fin design to achieve convective gas transport in a laser such as a CO.sub.2 laser.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for increasing the output power of certain lasers by inducing predictable vortex flow within the laser through the use of properly oriented fins.

Abstract: There is provided a laser mirror which produces an unusual type of laser output beam with certain desirable properties. For example, diffraction limited laser beams can be produced with large size components. The mirror is reflective, non-transmissive, and includes a plurality of spherical cavities therein.

Abstract: This invention provides a device for compensating for the phase distortion in higher order laser modes so that these modes can be focused to diffraction-limited spot sizes. Also, there is provided the means for forcing a laser to oscillate in a particular high-order laser mode.

Abstract: A storage device is provided for storing elements such as tobacco or the like while providing a storage or display location for photographs or the like. The storage area is assembled within the display area which essentially surrounds the storage area. A decorative lid or top member is provided for closing the storage area and securing the display area. A suitable mounting base is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-contact laser engraving apparatus and process. A laser beam is directed onto a work piece by a mask arrangement. The mask can be transparent or reflective. Optical means are used to transfer the laser beam and thus the image produced by the mask onto the work piece. In one embodiment parallel support tables hold the mask and the work piece in fixed, spaced apart, parallel arrangement. The support tables and/or the laser beam source are moved relative to each other such that the beam scans the mask and thus the work piece.

Abstract: Means and method for forming a raised metallic relief wherein a metal foil affixed to a support film is selectively etched, affixed to a wood surface, and then exposed to a scanning concentrated laser beam to vaporize the support film and wood in areas unprotected by the metal sheet. The metal design is left on the wood surface in the form of a raised relief.

Abstract: A laser beam is expanded by means of a beam expander device, the expanded beam striking the surface of a mirror which has an aperture formed therein. A portion of the beam passes through the aperture and is focused so that it strikes an optical detector. The major portion of the beam is reflected from the mirror surface to a scanner mirror which provides a transmitter beam to scan targets to be detected. A beam received back from the targets also strikes the scanner mirror and is reflected by this scanner mirror to a corner reflector, the beam being displaced a predetermined amount by the corner reflector and reflected therefrom in a direction precisely opposite to that of the beam incident on the corner reflector. This beam, after being reflected by the corner reflector, strikes a reflective surface of th apertured mirror directly opposite to that on which the laser beam is incident.