Abstract: A heat conducting structure in a discharge tube of an ion laser, that has high resistance to erosion due to sputtering comprises a discharge limiting member having an inner aperture, and a thin film of refractory ceramic coating areas near the inner aperture. The thin film of ceramic does not significantly retard heat flow out of the discharge into the heat conducting structure, but significantly increases resistance of the heat conduction structure to sputtering.

Abstract: A laser comprising a first mirror having a shape. The shape is generally spherical for typical lasers with the shape of the mirror being defined by the radius of curvature of a reflective surface on the mirror. A second mirror is provided mounted with the first to define a laser cavity. The cross-sectional sizes of the modes of oscillation within the laser cavity are defined by the shape of the first mirror. An aperture at a given location having a fixed cross-sectional size is mounted with the laser cavity. Alternatively, a laser bore which forms an effective aperture at a given location is used. A means is mounted with the first mirror for adjusting the shape of the first mirror so that the cross-sectional size of a selected mode at the given location matches the cross-sectional size of the aperture.

Abstract: An adjustable aperture is formed by a plurality of spring members secured over a passage on a frame, each spring member having a first end secured to the frame, a body extending into the passage and a second end opposite the first. The flexible members are mounted so that the plurality of second ends of the spring members form the aperture. A plunger, secured to the frame and contacting the bodies of the spring members, is provided for deflecting the spring members in an adjustable mount along the axis of light going through the passage. By deflecting the spring members which are fixed to the frame, the size of the aperture formed by the second ends of the spring members can be adjusted. The aperture formed is well suited for control of transverse modes in lasers.

Abstract: An optimized design for a resonator for a laser housing and assembly is disclosed, comprising a concentrically arranged plasma tube, magnet and resonator tube with the mirrors and associated optics housed at opposing ends of the resonator tube, mounted on rods extending from respective ends of the resonator tube.

Abstract: An endbell assembly operatively associated with a laser body includes a metal endbell component sealed to a crystalline endbell component which terminates with a crystalline optical component. The crystalline endbell and crystalline optical component are hermetically sealed without using a frit. This is achieved by polishing and a modified optical contacting technique whereby the optical component and crystalline endbell component are polished to a flatness of about 1/2 wavelength of light, placed in a contacting position and then thermally cycled at a temperature of about 400.degree.-500.degree. C. for about 1 to 10 hours, forming a substantially uniform unitary body. This seal is mechanically strong and minimizes the introduction of contaminants into the endbell assembly. In one embodiment, the crystalline endbell component is metallized and braze-sealed to the metal endbell component. In another embodiment, the two endbell components are hermetically sealed by modified optical contact and thermal cycling.