Abstract: A metal vapor laser is disclosed that recycles condensed metal located at the terminal ends of a plasma tube back toward the center of the tube. A pair of arcuate wedges are incorporated on the bottom of the plasma tube near the terminal ends. The wedges slope downward toward the center so that condensed metal may be transported under the force of gravity away from the terminal ends. The wedges are curved to fit the plasma tube to thereby avoid forming any gaps within the tube interior.

Abstract: The system of the present invention contemplates a non-intrusive method for measuring the temperature rise of optical elements under high laser power optical loading to determine the absorption coefficient. The method comprises irradiating the optical element with a high average power laser beam, viewing the optical element with an infrared camera to determine the temperature across the optical element and calculating the absorption of the optical element from the temperature.

Abstract: A laser includes a reflector whose cross section in a plane perpendicular to the laser flashlamp axis defines a modified involute based on the marginal angle of the flashlamp.

Abstract: A fluid laser having a flow channel between fluid inlet and active lasing regions and in which medium heating and resulting medium disturbances are reduced by minimizing channel wall and window heating in the area of the channel bordering the window seal. The channel wall includes a bevelled portion exterior of the channel and having a highly reflective surface immediately adjacent a window. The resulting thinning of the channel wall immediately adjacent the window reduces the absorption in the window seal region of reflected flashlamp light and of dye fluorescence light originating from within the flow channel, and the highly reflective surface reflects away from the window seal region the dye fluorescent light and reflected lamp light. Polished edge surfaces on the window also refract away from the window seal region the dye fluorescent light and reflected light passing through the window/air interface.

Abstract: A laser beam is passed between a pair of electrodes, the switching of the beam being accomplished by generating an arc between the electrodes whereby metal vapor is ablated therefrom. The metal vapor acts to either refract or totally block the beam, in either case cutting off the laser output.