Abstract: A laser preionization electrode (15, 17) formed of a dielectric tube (16) of square cross-section enclosing an electrode (18) of circular cross-section, the electrode (18) being of a large diameter on the order of 6.35 millimeters. A pair of such electrodes (15, 17) are located on either side of a main electrode (11) in a laser with the result that longer length preionization electrodes may be constructed while eliminating alignment problems of the prior art.

Abstract: An electrode for a transverse gas flow laser has a simplified profile which facilitates the fabrication and subsequent alignment of the electrodes within a laser cavity. Each electrode is essentially comprised of an upper horizontally planar surface having a surrounding radiused edge of a given radius of curvature which is terminated by a surrounding vertical side wall. The termination of the radiused edge by the side wall acts to reduce the total electrode width, resulting in a reduction in required laser package size. A bottom surface of the electrode may be provided with a mounting means, such as a plurality of tapped openings for bolting the electrode to an inner surface of the laser package.