Abstract: A gas transport laser with longitudinal gas flow and complete integration of the components, having at least one laser tube, wherein the laser gas is drawn off in the center of the respective laser tube, fed through a radial blower, a cooling system and a gas supply system and then supplied to the respective two ends of the laser tube. The laser tube is disposed in general perpendicularly to the direction of the gas flow in the cooling system and the gas supply system extends in the direction of the lesser dimension of the laser system, so as to optimize the use of space. The laser gas is subjected simultaneously to a high frequency and a high voltage discharge to achieve a high degree of efficiency.

Abstract: In a gas transport laser with axial gas flow, a radial blower is provided for the gas circulation on the axis of which a laser resonator has been arranged. The laser resonator is concentrically enclosed by a ring channel serving as a cooling section. For this purpose, several heat exchangers are provided in the ring channel which are connected to a water reservoir. The water reservoir preferably serves as the cover plate of the radial turbine, and carries--at the same time--the cathode being shaped as a ring electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for the generation of laser radiation according to the invention comprising a discharge chamber of essentially rectangular cross section made from insulating material, one pair of discharge electrodes between which a gas discharge initiated by UV preionization arising from a corona discharge can be produced in a direction transverse to an optical resonator, as well as a charging and discharging circuit and a gas circulation and cooling system. The two opposite walls of the discharge chamber on which the electrodes are arranged are provided with a metal coating, e.g. metal plates of sheets. The remaining lateral walls of the discharge chambers are provided with conducting structures, preferably wire grids which are insulated against the interior space and extend up to the level of the metal coating.

Abstract: For a laser system with fast longitudinal gas flow, at least one impeller of the type of runners for tangential blowers with adjacent ring channel is used for the circulation of laser gas. At least two longitudinal pipes merge tangentially into the ring channel where at least one longitudinal pipe is designed as a laser resonator. The ring channel and the longitudinal pipes form a closed loop for the laser gas.

Abstract: In a laser system in accordance with the gas transport principle, at least one radial blower having diffusor and gas deflecting elements or baffles is provided for the gas circulation. At least two longitudinal tubes, which form together the laser resonator, are connected on one side directly with the inlet of the radial compressor or lead away from the diffusor. On the other side, the longitudinal tubes are connected via gas deflecting parts with at least one flow channel which directly leads away from the diffusor or opens into the inlet of the radial compressor, and which is designated as a cooling section. Thereby, at least one integrated closed loop is created for the laser gas without the use of gas conducting intermediate pipes.

Abstract: In a procedure for selectively separating the isotopes of a multi-isotopic element by forming a gas of isotopic compounds of the element, selectively exciting the molecules of one isotopic compound by application of laser radiation thereto, and separating the excited molecules from the other components of the gas by physical or chemical means, the efficiency of the separation is improved by passing the gas, prior to laser excitation, through a nozzle to cause it to undergo adiabatic expansion to form an undercooled gas stream, and applying the laser radiation to the gas stream.

Abstract: A method for separating isotopes is disclosed. Molecules in a gaseous state which contains isotopes including a selected isotope, are irradiated by means of a laser. The molecules containing the selected isotope have an absorption line corresponding to an emission line of the laser. The selected isotope in the molecules having the corresponding absorption line participates in the resultant oscillation of those molecules. This irradiation of the absorbing molecules having the selected isotope chemically converts them to other entities. The other entities containing said isotopes are separated out so that the isotopes can be collected. Perferably, the isotopes are isotopes of uranium, and more preferably the U.sup.235 and U.sup.238, which are subjected to the above method to separate out a selected isotope.