Abstract: A laser tube end assembly which comprises a laser mirror sealed to each end of the laser tube, the seal withstanding the relatively high temperatures utilized to remove contaminants from the laser tube during fabrication thereof, the sealant also minimizing gas permeation therethrough during laser tube utilization. The assembly is fabricated by first preparing an apertured recessed metal flange member. A slurry, comprising a glass frit and carrier, is introduced into the metal flange member and allowed to dry. The metal flange member is placed in a first portion of a fixture and a glass substrate having a reflecting layer coated thereon is positioned adjacent the flange member recess with the reflecting layer being at least coextensive with the aperture. The weighted second portion of the fixture contacts the non-reflecting side of the glass substrate to ensure that the glass substrate reflecting layer is in contact with the surface of the metal flange member via the dried slurry.

Abstract: An internal mirror metal vapor laser, and in particular, a helium-cadmium laser discharge tube, which is economical, compact and has a relatively long operating and shelf life, typically of 10,000 hours. A positive column helium-cadmium laser tube of the consumable type and having optical resonator mirrors integral with the tube ends to hermetically seal the tube is provided which includes a relatively large volume cadmium reservoir capable of containing sufficient cadmium for life times exceeding ten thousand hours. A resistive heater is applied to the cadmium reservoir for controlling the cadmium vapor pressure. A heat sunk diffusion confinement section and a cataphoretic confinement section are provided adjacent one end mirror and a heat sunk diffusion confinement section is provided adjacent the other end mirror to protect the end mirrors from condensing cadmium vapor.

Abstract: A laser tube mirror alignment fixture for use in adjusting the reflecting mirrors on the ends of a laser tube. The fixture consists of two flange members which, when welded, form a single convection bellows, and a backing ring in which a number of screws are placed to provide for adjustment of the reflecting mirrors. The laser reflector is sealed to one of the flanges. The displacement is achieved by adjusting the screws on the backing ring and creating a differential pressure on the back flange of the bellows which, after adjusting the screws, can be locked tight to ensure no further movement.