Abstract: Known power lasers have outstanding electrical, optical and mechanical properties, in spite of different temperature conditions during switching on and during operation. However, they are expensive. These properties are retained, despite cheaper production costs in that, starting from a solid monolithic optical bench, several mirror blocks and intermediate blocks are mechanically rigidly connected to this, and are shaped such that they do not deflect during chip-removing machining, and those bores necessary for the laser path are only then provided.

Abstract: A modular CO2 laser has two end-flange devices, at least one intermediate-flange device, at least one metallic support tube that is resistant to bending and has two end regions fixedly mounted in the two end-flange devices and a central region to which the intermediate-flange device is secured. A partially-transmitting mirror device is provided at at least one of the end-flange devices, the mirror device comprising a mirror and a massive support plate carrying a mounting for the mirror. An adjusting-screw device is provided, which comprises a reference position forming an origin of X axis and Y axis coordinates. Two metal screws are situated in the X axis and Y axis respectively, the mirror being adjustable by rotation of at least one of the screws. The metal of the metallic support tube has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is not particularly low, and the metal of the metal screws has a particulary low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A longitudinal-flow modular CO.sub.2 laser having at least one CW output power has metallic end-flange devices at the two ends of the laser and a metallic intermediate-flange device at the transition from one laser module to another laser module. The flange devices have flank-sides and end-faces with mounting bores. A plurality of dielectric individual tubes are provided between the flange devices. The dielectric individual tubes have end regions mounted in the end-face mounting bores of the metallic flange devices. Flank-side gas inlet and outlet connections are provided at the flange devices. A large volume chamber is provided permitting gas flow between the mounting bores and the gas connections. The chamber connects two of the mounting bores and is disposed within at least one of the end-flange and intermediate-flange devices.

Abstract: A device for capacitive coupling of HF energy to a laser section has a capacitor situated in the input line, first and second capacitor electrodes, a dielectric situated between them and first and second cooled contact electrodes embracing a dielectric laser tube. The first cooled contact electrode has a surface with a partial region that comprises the first capacitor electrode. A dielectric foil is situated on the partial region and forms the dielectric of the capacitor. And an electric conducting web is situated on the foil and forms the second capacitor electrode.