Abstract: A transverse gas flow RF pumped waveguide laser has been developed utilizing RF discharge waveguide technology in several infrared lasers. Two potential applications have been identified; the pulsed chemical laser and the CW CO.sub.2 laser. In the chemical laser, the flowing gas device provides rapid gas replenishment to maintain high electrical efficiency at high repetition rates. In the CW CO.sub.2 laser, the flowing gas provides efficient cooling so that high output power per unit gain length can be achieved.

Abstract: A flow control device in a laser generator has a flow control valve disposed opposite a ring member to form an orifice. Laser gas flows from an inlet port into the flow control device, through the orifice, through the flow control valve and into the laser tube. The flow control valve is moveable axially toward and away from the ring member to vary the orifice to control the flow of laser gas in the laser tube. The laser tube also has a sub-hole for a sub-flow of laser gas in the laser tube. A throttling valve is disposed in the flow control device to throttle the flow of laser gas in the sub-hole.

Abstract: A laser generator has a discharge unit which is freely mountable on and dismountable from the laser generator as an integral unit. The discharge unit includes a pair of laser tubes, a pair of flow control units, and a manifold block. Clamp blocks support the laser tubes against movement in the lateral and vertical directions and tapered liners allow adjustment of the height of the laser tubes. Hangers are included in the discharge unit so that the laser tubes may be suspended during mounting and dismounting.

Abstract: A metal vapour laser is disclosed having an optical cavity with a sputtering cathode and anode located at one end of the cavity. The sputtering cathode and anode includes a gaseous jet inlet to introduce a gas stream of inert gas into the optical cavity for entraining metal vapour sputtered by the sputtering cathode and anode. An electrical discharge separate to the sputtering cathode and anode is provided in the optical cavity for exciting the metal vapour entrained in the inert gas stream.

Abstract: A flowing gas laser of the kind normally operating in the glow discharge mode and having a glow discharge region through which the gas flows while the glow discharge occurs, employs one or an array of flow smoothing screens disposed in series in the gas flow path in a manner that enables the input power loading to be increased without causing arcing in the electric discharge of the lasing gas. The screens are disposed upstream of the glow discharge region and cause smoothing of small scale turbulence in the gas flow. The screen closest to the discharge region is spaced from the beginning of that region by a distance not less than ten times the distance between adjacent holes of the screen. Successive screens in the series array are spaced at intervals sufficient to enable the requisite flow smoothing by each screen to occur before the flow encounters the next screen of the array.

Abstract: For a laser system with fast longitudinal gas flow, at least one impeller of the type of runners for tangential blowers with adjacent ring channel is used for the circulation of laser gas. At least two longitudinal pipes merge tangentially into the ring channel where at least one longitudinal pipe is designed as a laser resonator. The ring channel and the longitudinal pipes form a closed loop for the laser gas.

Abstract: In a laser system in accordance with the gas transport principle, at least one radial blower having diffusor and gas deflecting elements or baffles is provided for the gas circulation. At least two longitudinal tubes, which form together the laser resonator, are connected on one side directly with the inlet of the radial compressor or lead away from the diffusor. On the other side, the longitudinal tubes are connected via gas deflecting parts with at least one flow channel which directly leads away from the diffusor or opens into the inlet of the radial compressor, and which is designated as a cooling section. Thereby, at least one integrated closed loop is created for the laser gas without the use of gas conducting intermediate pipes.

Abstract: A gaseous mixture comprising iodine, oxygen and fluorine gases is circulated in a closed loop system 16 through a laser cavity 14. The gases in the cavity 14 are pumped by infrared laser radiation 12 from an iodine laser 10. A set of reactions occurs in the cavity 14 resulting in the production of excited, iodine monofluoride, molecules [IF**(B)] which emit laser radiation in the visible spectrum.

Abstract: A forced transport, electrically excited molecular gas laser is disclosed. The laser includes a flow path for a gaseous lasing medium at high pressure such as 50 to 150 Torr, a blower for moving the gaseous lasing medium at high speed along the flow path, electrodes for electrically exciting the moving gaseous lasing medium along an active discharge length of the flow path to create a plasma for lasing, and an expansion chamber along the flow path in the vicinity of the active discharge length of the flow path for rapidly expanding the moving gaseous lasing medium to stir the plasma and provide a more uniform and stable discharge. The gas laser allows for high pressure and fast axial flow operation resulting in a compact design which produces high power optical output with uniform and stable mode characteristics.

Abstract: A gas laser having an outer conductive shell and two axially displaced spaced plastic cylinders mounted within the shell. The inner plastic cylinder supports the high voltage components to produce a transverse electrical discharge. The outer plastic cylinder is spaced from the outer shell by rubber feet and forms an acoustic baffle to decrease the noise radiated during operation. High speed fans circulate the laser gas around the annular path between the two cylinders and between the high voltage electrodes. The inner plastic cylinder is manually removable for repair or other reason and carries with it all of the electrical components within the outer shell. High voltage is fed to the high voltage electrodes by means of a circuit that does not include the outer shell. This arrangement minimizes operating noise, provides maximum safety for operating personnel, and minimizes electrical interference.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in gas lasers and a method of operating the same. In one aspect, the invention is an improved method for operating a high-power gas laser. The improvement comprises introducing the gas lasing medium tangentially to the laser tube at a pressure establishing a forced vortex in the tube. The vortex defines an axially extending core region characterized by a low pressure and temperature relative to the gas inlet and the exterior of the vortex. An electrical discharge is established in the core region to initiate lasing of the gas. The gas discharge from the tube is passed through a diffuser. As in conventional gas lasers, firing results in a very abrupt increase in gas temperature and in severe disruption of the gas. However, the gas vortex almost immediately restores the gas to its pre-firing condition. That is, almost all of the waste heat is transferred radially to the laser wall, and the original gas-flow pattern is restored.

Abstract: A high average power, high repetition rate pulsed gas transport laser system is disclosed. A pulse forming network location for minimizing electrical discharge loop inductance is provided. RFI shielding is included as a result of containment of the pulse forming network housed in a dielectric structure eccentrically mounted within a pressurizable vessel and forming a portion of a high-speed gas flow loop. The gas recirculating blower motor is mounted external to the pressurizable vessel and, therefore, does not add to the laser system dimensions. The blower is coupled to the blower motor by a magnetic coupling. Blower speed and power can be changed readily. Corona or cold-cathode X-ray preionization is provided in order to provide arc-free gas discharge. Materials compatible with the laser gases are used in construction. The laser system is configured to be compact, to be easily maintainable, and to be readily adapted for laser industrial processing.

Abstract: Gas flow laser, in particular a laser through which the gas flows transversely, or through which it flow rapidly in an axial direction, which possesses a main gas circuit embracing the resonator and a circulating pump, together with an auxiliary circuit for continuously bleeding-off, conditioning and reintroducing a partial stream of the gas. The cost of the auxiliary circuit is reduced by connecting it to the main circuit upstream and downstream of the circulating pump, so that the full delivery head by the circulating pump is available for operating the auxiliary circuit. The supply of fresh gas can be introduced independently of the auxiliary circuit.

Abstract: A discharge tube structure of a gas laser generator has end common vessels at its both end sections and an intermediate common vessel at its intermediate section. The end common vessels and intermediate common vessel are connected through the first and second cooling ducts to a centrifugal blower, which is provided at its center the first communicating port communicating with the first cooling duct and at least two second communicating ports communicating with the second cooling ducts opposed to each other with respect to the first communicating port. The simplified second cooling ducts allows the mixture gas to be supplied smoothly to the intermediate common vessel, thereby increasing the laser output.

Abstract: An orthogonal type gas laser oscillator is constructed in such a manner that a laser medium gas is caused to flow through an exciting region for the laser oscillation to perform the laser oscillation on the optical axis which runs in the direction orthogonal to the flowing direction of the laser medium gas; the exciting region is provided independently in even number and the flowing direction of the laser medium gas in one half of the exciting region and the flowing direction of the laser medium gas in the remaining half of the exciting region are mutually opposed.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide laser oscillator comprises a discharge tube, total reflecting mirrors and partially reflecting mirrors arranged at opposite ends of the discharge tube, a pair of electrodes for causing electrical discharge to occur in the discharge tube and means for flowing laser gas through the discharge tube so that the gas flows at a rate that satisfies the condition in which the Reynolds number is equal to or smaller than 1.times.10.sup.4.

Abstract: In a pulsed gas laser having a flexible exit gas line, such as polymer tubing, a device is disposed just upstream of the flexible tubing to attenuate certain characteristics of the exit gas before it reaches the flexible line. The device comprises a walled chamber having an inlet and an outlet and constructed and arranged to attenuate the peak pressure waves at the pulse frequency. The device also provides attenuation of temperature and for this purpose is made of a good thermal conductor such as copper. The invention enhances the effectiveness of the flexible polymer tubing exit gas lines and permits a laser to be pulsed at higher pulse frequencies than are conventionally done.

Abstract: An electric discharge gas laser utilizing a seedant material which is cooled prior to the main laser discharge. The seedant is ionized prior to the cooling process and prior to the main discharge, this pre-ionization maintaining the seedant material in a gaseous state even in view of the lowered temperature for a sufficient time so as to give the required ionization levels.

Abstract: A high-power flowing-gas laser comprises an outer housing, an optical system including a laser channel within the housing, an impeller driven by a motor for producing a flow of gas through the laser channel, and an independent mounting for mounting the optical system to the support idependently of the housing mounting such as to isolate the optical system from the vibrational disturbances of the impeller and its motor drive. The laser channel is folded so as to be constituted of a plurality of laser channel legs disposed in a polygon configuration, there being a gas flow channel for each laser channel leg and a conduit arrangement directing the gas to flow transversely across the legs radially inwardly from the outer region of the polygon to a common collection region within the polygon.

Abstract: A fast axial flow gas transport laser has a discharge tube. The discharge tube has at least one sudden discontinuous enlargement of the cross section of the discharge tube.

Abstract: A laser apparatus comprises a laser tube supported by a plurality of mounts on a supporting plate, a case housing the laser tube, temperature sensors positioned on the mounts or the supporting plate near the mounts or the laser tube, and a plurality of fans positioned on a wall of the case. The fans are positioned to generate air streams passing over the respective sections the temperatures of which are detected by the temperature sensors and operated in accordance with electric outputs of the temperature sensors, thereby maintaining the temperatures at the respective sections at a predetermined level.

Abstract: In a cross flow type laser device of the type comprising a cylindrical vacuum vessel, guide ducts for defining a laser medium circulating path, a fan for circulating the laser medium through the circulating path, discharge electrodes installed in the vacuum vessel for creating electrode discharge through circulating laser medium and a cooler for cooling the circulating laser medium, the fan is constructed as a cross-flow fan utilizing a portion of the inner wall of the vessel as a rear casing and a portion of the guide ducts as a front casing so that the fan has substantially the same axial length as that of the cylindrical vacuum vessel.

Abstract: A high-power flowing-gas laser comprises an outer housing, an optical system including a laser channel within the housing, and an impeller for producing a flow of gas through the laser channel. The laser channel is folded so as to be constituted of a plurality of legs disposed in a polygon, preferably square, configuration, there being a gas flow channel for each laser channel leg and including an axially-extending inlet section and a radially-extending outlet section, the latter being formed with aligned laser openings for accommodating the laser beam of the respective laser channel leg. The laser further includes an internal partition wall between the outlet end of the impeller and the inlet ends of the gas flow channels for confining the gas flow from the impeller to the inlet ends of the gas flow channels, which partition substantially precludes gas flow into the gas flow channel legs through the aligned laser openings at the outlet sections of the gas flow channels.

Abstract: A high power, electrically excited laser is disclosed wherein a laser gas is caused to flow through an excitation region in which an electric discharge is established along a direction transverse to the direction of flow of the laser gas between an anode and a porous cathode disposed on opposite sides of the excitation region, and wherein an electron beam is introduced into the excitation region along a direction parallel to the direction of the discharge. A first quantity of an auxiliary gas (preferably helium) having a normal glow current density at least an order of magnitude less than that of the laser gas is introduced into the upstream end of the excitation region adjacent to the cathode and caused to flow across the cathode surface along a direction parallel to that of the laser gas. A second quantity of the auxiliary gas is "bled" through the porous cathode and gradually added to the auxiliary gas stream flowing across the cathode surface.

Abstract: There is provided a high repetition rate chemical laser comprising in combination a mixing chamber, an inlet for continuously introducing reactants into the chamber, a supersonic nozzle constituting an exit from the mixing chamber, a laser cavity located at the exit of the nozzle and a device for applying pulsed electrical discharge to the reactants in the laser cavity and a method of continuous lasing at a high repetition rate which includes premixing the desired reactants, if required with diluents or inhibitors, expanding the resulting gaseous mixture through a supersonic nozzle to a velocity greater than the combustion velocity of the mixture, and applying to the mixture a high-rate pulsed electrical discharge for initiating the chemical reaction and convecting the spent gases from the laser cavity.

Abstract: A transverse flow gas transport laser including a closed loop of ducting through which a gaseous lasing medium can be circulated so as to pass continuously through a lasing region of the ducting in which it can be excited into lasing activity, in which there is included means for extracting a portion of the gaseous lasing medium from a region of the ducting other than the lasing region, comprising the said portion of the lasing medium and injecting it back into the remainder of the lasing medium thereby to induce flow of the gaseous medium through the lasing region of the ducting.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating a gas laser which utilize the electrical discharge between the electrodes to increase gas circulation. In a first embodiment, electrical discharges cause a control current (pulse) which activates an electromechanical device disposed within a closed gas flow loop. The electromechanical device acts as a pump and effects gas exchange and heat dissipation with a minimum of elements. In other embodiments, electrical discharges cause pressure fluctuations which increase gas circulation without the use of mechanically moved parts. To this end, connecting lines that determine the direction of the flow are placed between the chambers in order to facilitate equalization of gas pressure. A flow circulation loop is thereby created in a quasi-passive manner when suitably constructed.

Abstract: A sonic flow plate assembly for controlling the mass flow rate of gases by use of the sonic choking phenomenon. Identical gas flow control plate portions, each containing a plurality of nozzles formed by the smooth internal surface of vertical passageways in the plates, are connected end-to-end to form a unified gas flow control plate. Each of the nozzle passageways is in the shape of a hollow inverted truncated cone with bases in communication with hollow cylinders. Each plate portion, including the passageways therein, are molded from a fiberglass composite. The connected plate portions are secured in place by transversely positioned tension rods.

Abstract: An improved gas laser is disclosed. The laser has a support tube to support and to maintain the alignment of the optical resonator structure. The gas lasing medium is used within the support tube to maintain the tube at a substantially constant temperature above the ambient. Furthermore, an active temperature controller is disclosed. The temperature controller maintains the gas lasing medium in the support tube at a substantially constant temperature. An active pressure controller is also disclosed. The active pressure controller uses a pressure sensor, an electronic processor, and a motor-driven needle valve to maintain the pressure of the gas lasing medium in the laser within the desired operating pressure range. The laser can also be switched in operation from a continuous mode to a pulsing mode. An active power control system is disclosed wherein the power output of the laser, through an active feedback loop is maintained at the desired level.

Abstract: A laser beam duct pressure controller system for maintaining a spatially uniform pressure in a flowing gas volume which is subjected to temporal pressure variations. This desired result is accomplished, with cooperating structural components (and gases therein) which eliminate the axial flow of a conditioning gas within the laser beam duct, by matching the time rate of change of the pressure of the flowing conditioning gas to the time rate of change of the pressure in the cavity of an operably associated laser beam turret.

Abstract: A transverse flow CW atomic iodine laser system uses a closed cycle fuel system to operate in a continuous mode. An elliptical pump cell having a Hg arc lamp cooled by deionized water irradiates with UV energy C.sub.3 F.sub.7 I gas to produce excited atomic iodine. A transverse flow section attached to the pump cell channels C.sub.3 F.sub.7 I gas into a laser cell where lasing occurs. The flow section has upstream and downstream flow cavities, triangular shaped, that channel the laser gas. A diffuser and flow straighteners are placed in these cavities to make the flow velocity across the transverse laser axis as uniform as possible so as to produce very stable laser gain output.

Abstract: A discharge-pumped laser with a discharge tube (1) that contains a mixture (2) of gases, that has gas inlets (4) in the vicinity of its windows (3), that has a gas outlet (7), and that is connected by lines (10, 11) and by a circulating pump (8) to a purification device that is an electrostatic filter (9) to purify the gas mixture of particles of dust without changing its composition. The gas-circulation system includes a zone (12) in which the mixture of gases being conveyed back to the gas inlets (4) becomes quiescent.

Abstract: In a laser device designed according to the gas transport or convection principle, the division into parts with different functions is replaced by complete integration of the different functions. In the case of an axial flow laser, the laser tube can be designed as a cooled tube and arranged concentrically inside of a circulation turbine.

Abstract: A tunable source (11) of coherent infrared energy includes a heat pipe (12) having an intermediate region (24) at which cesium (22) is heated to vaporizing temperature and end regions (27, 28) at which the vapor is condensed and returned to the intermediate region (24) for reheating and recirculation. Optical pumping light (43) is directed along the axis of the heat pipe (12) through a first end window (17) to stimulate emission of coherent infrared energy which is transmitted out through an opposite end window (18). A porous walled tubulation (44) extends along the axis of the heat pipe (12) and defines a region (46) in which cesium vapor is further heated to a temperature sufficient to dissociate cesium dimers which would decrease efficiency by absorbing pump light (43). Efficient generation of any desired infrared wavelength is realized by varying the wavelength of the pump light (43).

Abstract: High-energy laser of the TE-type with excitation taking place by an arc-free capacitor discharge being as homogeneous as possible, including a housing having walls formed at least partially of high voltage-resistant insulating material defining a laser chamber having a gas space, at least two first and second electrodes being extended in the laser chamber and surrounded by regions of the housing walls, the electrodes being disposed opposite each other, spaced apart and parallel to the optical axis of the laser, the excitation taking place in the gas space between the electrodes, a preionization device disposed in the laser chamber, a current feed connected to the first electrode, a current return being connected to the second electrode and being in the form of metallic wall portions extended from the second electrode along the outside of the housing of the laser chamber at least to the vicinity of the region of the housing wall surrounding the first electrode, the insulating material of the housing in the gas

Abstract: A self-contained device for pumping supersonic gas flows. The pumping dev consists of a chemically activated material capable of chemical reaction with the gas mixture to be pumped, thermal ballast material, a hermetically sealable vessel for containing the chemically active material, and internal surfaces to provide gas flow passages. The internal gas flow passages are geometrically prescribed to accept a supersonic gas flow, to induce a stable normal shock, to diffuse the subsonic flow obtained after the normal shock, and to distribute the low velocity, subsonic gas flow to the reactive chemical pump material.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a gas laser in which a discharge tube of a double-tube construction comprising a inner tube and an outer tube of a relatively large diameter is employed, a tubular discharge space filled with a gas mixture is formed between the inner tube and the outer tube, a gas mixture cooling passage is formed within the discharge space, and a pair of mirror groups are disposed at both ends of the discharge space, each mirror group comprising a plurality of mirrors arranged in the circumferential direction. The respective mirrors are arranged in such a manner that a laser beam is reflected by the mirrors to go and return in the discharge space several times and each path of the laser beam between the corresponding two mirrors obliquely intersects the central axis of the discharge space.

Abstract: There is disclosed continuously-excited lasers of the CO.sub.2 mixing, and supersonic CO, types. There is specifically disclosed a method, and a laser apparatus, for producing a repetitively pulsed output, in which a stream of excited gas, of the type having a relatively long excitation life, is produced, stored and subsequently transferred, in the form of pulses, to a power extraction zone incorporating a resonator. In one example the gas laser is a supersonic CO laser in which the CO is excited in the excitation zone and is, after storage, transferred under supersonic conditions to the resonator. In the main example the gas to be excited is N.sub.2 which is initially transferred to a storage chamber provided between a rotatable storage cylinder (16) and an axial supporting shaft (18) therefor, and thereafter the N.sub.

Abstract: A high-power flowing-gas laser comprises a laser channel folded to include at least two legs angularly disposed to each other in a common plane and having a single folding mirror between them such that the laser rays through one leg, on the upstream side thereof with respect to the gas flowing transversely across that leg, are reflected by the folding mirror so as to be transposed to the downstream side of the other leg with respect to the gas flowing transversely across the other leg. A number of embodiments are described wherein the laser channel is folded to include four or other even number of legs according to a polygonal configuration, there being a separate flowing gas channel for each leg, all the gas channels directing the gas flow radially inwardly to a common collection region. Among the advantages provided by the described constructions are compensation for phase distortion and amplitude variations, and maximum laser channel length and laser output for a given system size and volume.

Abstract: An improved gaseous laser device is provided which comprises a generally tubular laser discharge tube having a laser window at each end thereof, each window disposed at an angle to the lasing axis of the device corresponding substantially to the Brewster's angle characteristic of the material comprising the windows, and including means directing substantially uniform flow of gaseous laser medium into and out of the discharge tube substantially at said angle and means providing a choked gaseous exhaust exit for canceling cavity disturbances within the device. Laser optics defining an optical resonant cavity of the laser device may be disposed external of the discharge tube and windows.

Abstract: A gas transport laser has several discharge sections through which the laser gas flows and is attached on mounts. The mounts have borings for connection of the discharge tube sections, as well as for the intake and discharge in such a manner that the discharge tube sections, the gas supply and the gas discharge are parallel to each other.

Abstract: A coaxial-type carbon dioxide gas laser includes an oscillator comprising a gas inlet for introducing gas into a discharge tube through a gas supply chamber having a hollow cylindrical body which serves to disturb the gas flow and orientate the gas toward the discharge tube via a space defined between the discharge tube and the hollow cylindrical body. The gas which has been subjected to an electrical discharge is drawn out of the discharge tube through a chamber and a gas outlet connected therewith. A pair of anode and cathode electrodes are disposed adjacent to the ends of the discharge tube. One of the electrodes is mounted on the gas supply chamber and is annular in shape. The gas supply chamber and the hollow cylindrical body jointly define a gap for passage therethrough of the gas fed from the gas inlet toward the discharge tube via the space. The space is large in cross section than the gap.

Abstract: A flow plate positioned upstream of the lasing cavity of an electrically pulsed gas laser blocks the transmission of shock waves generated in the laser cavity. The flow plate has a plurality of passages which are shaped to form a supersonic nozzle at the upstream end of the passage, a subsonic diffuser at the downstream end of the passage and a supersonic diffuser in the central region of the passage.

Abstract: A self-supporting laser diffuser flow energizer is described for improving the performance of radial flow lasers by providing novel means for pressure recovery, and comprises a self-sustaining suction means communicating with the laser cavity for changing the supersonic shock front configuration existing within a radial laser diffuser and thereby promoting the flow of gaseous laser medium within the laser cavity.

Abstract: Iodine vapor is supplied to an oxygen iodine laser by an improved iodine vaporizer. The vaporizer has a radiation transparent window and iodine crystals are contained in the vaporizer. Broad beam radiation from a variable intensity source is directed through the window into the vaporizer where it is absorbed by the iodine crystals, causing the iodine crystals to sublime. The iodine vapor is transported to the laser by a carrier gas flowed through the vaporizer. Coarse control of the iodine flow is achieved by controlling the carrier gas flow. Control of the amount of iodine vapor introduced into the carrier gas flow is achieved by varying the amount of radiation directed into the vaporizer.

Abstract: Signals for controlling the discharge current and laser gas pressure are provided in predetermined combination in accordance with a selected laser output level.

Abstract: A novel electrical discharge gas laser device is provided which comprises a pair of laser discharge cavity portions optically interconnected within a U-shaped optical resonant cavity, the laser cavity portions configured to intercommunicate and share a common power supply.

Abstract: A chemical laser nozzle blade support system which incorporates therein at least two continuous flexure member to secure the nozzle blades of the laser to the laser body. The blade and flexure member are formed with a radius, R, and each side of the member is supported by a surface having a radius, R.sub.1. Under nonstress conditions the blade and member are subjected to the same pressure and have the same radius of curvature. During operation of the laser, axial deflections occur which cause the blade end of the member to deflect in a radial manner which induces bending in the member. The magnitude of the bending stress is limited by establishing the value of R.sub.1 such that the change in radius of curvature cannot exceed a desired value. The resulting blade load is therefore primarily in tension with the only bending being that induced by the structural deflection.

Abstract: In a gas laser in which a mixture of gases is excited under the influence of an electric field, a first constituent gas of the mixture is introduced into a laser tube to allow a discharge to occur in the introduced gas at predetermined partial pressure. A second constituent gas of the mixture is then introduced into the laser tube until the combined gases reach the normally operating pressure of the mixture to allow a discharge to occur in the later introduced gas.

Abstract: A flowing gas laser utilizes a multilayer gas flow technique wherein laser gas is caused to flow in three distinct layers: an anode gas flow layer flowing adjacent the anode electrode of the laser; a cathode gas flow layer flowing adjacent the cathode electrode of the laser; and a lasing gas flow layer flowing between the anode and cathode layers and through the lasing region of the laser. A higher electron density is produced in the anode and cathode layers than in the middle lasing layer for fostering a higher electric field in the lasing layer and increased electrical efficiency of the laser. The multilayer gas flow technique is also useful in chemical processing devices for generating ozone or the like.