Abstract: For the excitation of a discharge in a laser gas, an electrode arrangement is provided which consists of at least two elongated electrodes wound approximately in a cylindrical helical line. The double helix thus formed is arranged on or concentrically within a gas flow tube.

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: In a laser device designed according to the gas transport or convection principle, the division into parts with different functions is replaced by complete integration of the different functions. In the case of an axial flow laser, the laser tube can be designed as a cooled tube and arranged concentrically inside of a circulation turbine.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing laser radiation which includes a pair of discharge electrodes for firing a gas discharge which extends transversely with respect to the axis of the laser resonator, wherein pre-ionization is produced by a corona discharge, a charging-and-discharging circuit and a gas circulating-and-cooling system. The first electrode is secured to the wall of the gas chamber which is made from non-conducting material, wherein the securing elements serve as current supply means. The second electrode is mounted to the same wall as the first electrode on a plurality of metal rods. Such metal rods simultaneously provide the mechanical support function and the electrical current supply, and, at least in the region of the gas chamber, are surrounded by an insulator tube having a high dielectric constant so that a corona discharge can be produced between the first electrode and the insulated metal rods.

Abstract: Rust is removed from the surfaces of metallic objects by focusing a laser beam on successive increments of the surface so that the beam causes evaporation of rust. The laser is a gas laser and is designed to effect pulsed emission of coherent radiation. The output power of the laser is selected in such a way that the beam cannot melt or evaporate the parent metal.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for measuring the curvature of the cornea of the human eye. The device utilizes a continuous, curved surface plate positioned in front of the eye and having a telescope extending through the surface plate such that its optical axis is aligned with the eye. Several object points are generated on the surface plate within the field of vision of the eye and are formed also on the image plane of the eye. Detection devices, located within the telescope measure the positions of such image points in relation to the optical axis. The radius of curvature of the cornea can be determined from this measurement.