Abstract: A contact laser surgery tip for connection to a lightpipe conducting laser light. A hollow proximal end portion of the tip connects to the lightpipe. A hollow distal end portion is heated when it absorbs at least a portion of the laser light transmitted thereto by the proximal end portion. The proximal end portion of the tip is fabricated with an inner surface material having an index of refraction with a real part that is less than about 0.3. The surface material is coated with a reflectivity-enhancing thin film. The proximal end portion of the tip can include a sleeve on which is deposited the highly reflective inner surface material with the thin film coating. The tip is shaped and given material characteristics so that the distal end and proximal end portions can be selectively heated. The tip can include apertures for allowing the passage of a selected portion of laser light outwardly from the tip.

Abstract: A hollow lightpipe for conducting high power levels of CO.sub.2 laser light with low transmission losses. A highly reflective layer is formed on the inner surface of an elongated bendable metal housing. The material forming the highly reflective layer is chosen to have a complex index of refraction whose real part (n) is less than about 0.4. The thickness of the reflective layer need not be highly controlled, but must be sufficiently thick that it exhibits bulk absorption properties without being so thick that it cracks when the lightpipe is flexed. In a second embodiment, the transmission properties of the highly reflective layer can be enhanced by coating the reflective layer with a thin film of a dielectric material such as ThF.sub.4 and Ge. By appropriate changes in the geometry of the lightpipe, it can also serve as a tip for use with an optical conduit, such as an optical fiber suitable for transmission of light produced by a YAG laser.

Abstract: A hollow lightpipe for conducting high power levels of CO.sub.2 laser light with low transmission losses. A highly reflective layer is formed on the inner surface of an elongated bendable metal housing. The material forming the highly reflective layer is chosen to have a complex index of refraction whose real part (n) is less than about 0.4. The thickness of the reflective layer need not be highly controlled, but must be sufficiently thick that it exhibits bulk absorption properties without being so thick that it cracks when the lightpipe is flexed. In a second embodiment, the transmission properties of the highly reflective layer can be enhanced by coating the reflective layer with a thin film of a dielectric materials such as ThF.sub.4 and Ge.

Abstract: A hollow waveguide has a rectangular or square internal cross-section, with all internal surfaces coated with a reflecting metal such as silver. One pair of opposing surfaces is dielectric overcoated of a thickness less than half the quarter wave thickness, while the other pair of opposing surfaces is dielectric overcoated with a different material and has a thickness which is an integral multiple of the quarter wave thickness. ThF.sub.4, ZnSe, and Ge are suitable materials.

Abstract: A hollow waveguide has an inner reflective layer such as silver, overcoated with plural layers of dielectric. Preferably three dielectric layers are used, with the inner two having quarter wave thickness, and the outer one having one half on one and one half the quarter wave thickness. Compositions for the dielectric include ThF.sub.4 /Ge/ThF.sub.4, ZnSe/Ge/ZnSe, Ge/ThF.sub.4 /Ge, and ThF.sub.4 /ZnSe/ThF.sub.4.

Abstract: A flexible hollow waveguide has an optically smooth, rectangular cross section internal channel, in which reflecting metal is overcoated with a ThF.sub.4 or ZnSe dielectric approximately one-half of the quarter wave thickness. CO.sub.2 laser propagation is promoted for guide curvatures down to about 5 cm radius of curvature.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a sealed-off RF excited CO.sub.2 laser with a longer operating life. The invention, which relates to the method and the resulting laser, comprises means for stabilizing the laser gas chemistry otherwise affected by CO.sub.2 dissociation, O.sub.2 consumption, and outgassing of H.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. More specifically, the aluminum housing of the laser assembly is nickel-plated and then passivated by an oxidation technique using concentrated nitric acid. In addition, novel gettering substances, comprising either a group B metal or cellulose, are employed to adsorb hydrogen and/or water vapor to alleviate the outgassing problem.

Abstract: A waveguide gas laser of improved stability and efficiency resulting from novel improvements. Such improvements, including longitudinal RF excitation, unique ballasting techniques, a novel drive circuit design that is immediately responsive to defeat unstable hot spot problems, and a controlled power excitation function, result in an RF excited waveguide gas laser that substantially overcomes disadvantages of prior art devices.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system generating high resolution images at commercial T.V. rates while scanning relatively large apertures comprising a facet mirror mounted for rotation about a rotational axis, a framing mirror mounted on axis for oscillation about an oscillatory axis, and an off axis, magnifying relay lens system for reimaging the pupil at the facet mirror onto the framing mirror so that there is a real pupil at the framing mirror with no image artifacts. The relay lens system is located in the optical path between the facet mirror and the framing mirror. The relay lens system defines an image plane and at least one point blackbody is located substantially at the image plane for purposes of providing a video reference and calibration. A detector receives the focused beam of radiation reflected by the facet mirror for subsequent display on commercial T.V. monitors. The detector shares vacuum with the high-speed scanner.

Abstract: Waveguide lasers are disclosed which are excited by means of a tranverse discharge at rf frequencies generally in the vhf-uhf range, i.e., from about 30 MHz to about 3 GHz. These excitation frequencies are sufficiently high to ensure negligible interaction of discharge electrons with the discharge-establishing electrodes, thereby achieving superior discharge properties which result in a laser of improved performance and reduced size and complexity.