Abstract: A multiple cavity waveguide laser is formed of a pair of face to face contiguous dielectric blocks 70, 72in the facing surfaces of which are formed pairs of mating waveguide grooves 78, 80, 82, 84having an electrode partition 92 sealed to and between the adjacent mating blocks to separate one pair of waveguide cavities from another, thereby forming four closely spaced waveguide cavities. In another embodiment, the partition 26 between the two dielectric blocks 10, 12 is thin conductive material, and dielectric partitions 36, 38 are provided between cavities of each pair in a single dielectric block. The internal surfaces 40, 42, 44, 47 of each cavity opposite the common electrode 26 are plated with an electrically conductive material, and suitable electrical connections 56, 58, 18 are made from the internal electrodes to the exterior of the blocks.

Abstract: Dual waveguide lasers which are transversely excited in parallel from a con source of radio frequency are provided with one or more channels or bores connecting the laser cavities. The dimensions and configuration of the connecting channels are chosen so that the electric field from the applied RF excitation source will be higher in the connecting channels than in either of the paralleled waveguide gas discharge cavities, or that the electron collision loss to the nearby ceramic and metallic walls will be lower in the connectiong channels than in the aforementioned waveguide cavities. The initial gas breakdown is thus made to preferentially occur in the connecting channels and thus force initiation of both laser cavities simultaneously.

Abstract: A gas laser apparatus includes a ceramic wave guide having a bore extending therethrough and a pair of slots formed in the exterior thereof with electrodes formed in the slots. An optical assembly is mounted on each end of the Waveguide and includes a mirror which is attached to a metal ring in the optical assembly where they harden a fused glass frit material. A plurality of invar metal rods connects the optical assemblies and has adjustment screws on each end of each rod for tilting a portion of the optical assembly on a metal flexure member to align the mirrors. The tubes and rods in the optical assemblies holding each mirror have temperature compensating materials and sizes to maintain the mirror in alignment, and separation over wide ambient and operating temperatures.

Abstract: A gas laser is provided with elongated electrodes having apertures therein. he electrodes provide a transmission line for an HF electromagnetic pump which ionizes the gas, and the apertures are distributed and offset to provide passageways for efficient interaction between the hot ionized gas and a replenishing supply of cooled gas.

Abstract: A transversely-excited waveguide laser made up from the two blocks of electrically-insulating material. One block (1) has three parallel slots (3, 4 and 5) formed in one face, while the other block (2) forms a cover which may be secured to the first block to close the slots. The two outermost slots (4 and 5) each contain a layer (7) of electrically-conductive material to which an electrical conductor (8) is attached to form an electrode, while the dimensions of the center slot (3) are such as to enable it to form a laser cavity which will support waveguide laser action.

Abstract: A waveguide (130) is coupled to a tubular member (2) by a gap (139) suitable for generating an intense surface wave in a gaseous mixture contained in the tubular member (2). Short circuits (110 and 120) delimit the plasma, thereby generating very high intensity standing microwaves, which increase the energy density of the plasma. An ion laser effect can then be observed, in particular in a mixture of argon and helium, together with optional krypton.

Abstract: A phase locked ridge waveguide gas laser comprises a plurality of resonators formed in a ceramic body. The resonators are delineated by ridges which provide less than total separation therebetween and allow optical coupling between guided mode optical signals propagating therein.

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 miniaturized inert gas ion laser is proposed whose discharge column has a diameter between 6.times.10.sup.-3 cm and 8.times.10.sup.-2 cm. In a preferred embodiment, a BeO plate is enclosed by two metal parts which lie against one of the base areas of the plate. One metal part is a copper sheet functioning as anode and the other metal part forms a cavity in which the cathode is situated. The BeO plate is provided with a longitudinal bore which is terminated at both sides by mirrors and communicates via plate perforations with the anode and the cathode space. The bore is 0.1 mm in size and 30 mm long; the discharge occurs on a path of 10 mm; discharge current, discharge voltage and filling pressure lie at 200 mA, 130 V and 5 Torr; the output power amounts to about 1 mW. This type of laser is extremely compact; it is particularly suitable as a stable frequency signal generator and can be simply amplitude-modulated and/or frequency-modulated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser light source device having a laser and an external resonator, wherein as a base, a Faraday rotator is provided at the laser side front of a reflection plane of the resonator so that clockwise and counter-clockwise circular polarizations which have frequencies slightly different to each other are generated, and if a laser such as a semiconductor laser having an eigen-mode having a linear polarization is applied, elements which rotate a polarization by 90 degrees by one emission-and-return through the element, for example, quarter-wave plates, are arranged, The device does not need a strong magnetic field or a strong electric field, and can easily generate lights which are a constant strength. Thus the device can be miniaturized and a high efficiency obtained.

Abstract: A high frequency, high energy RF powered laser is shown and described. This laser utilizes a stripline wave guide electrode, a ground plane, and dielectric materials for the lasing tube to provide for resistance to spurious discharge and parasitic breakdown between the stripline and the ground plane. The use of a high voltage pulse to initiate lasing gas breakdown, the use of a dielectric section in the stripline wave guide to protect the RF source and a choke to protect the high voltage pulse source from RF energy are also shown and described.

Abstract: A circular bore transversely excited gas discharge laser is disclosed which may be constructed and operated with no physical contact between the active discharge and the metal excitation electrode structure. The discharge is excited by RF in the frequency range 10 MHz to 1 GHz applied to a transverse metal electrode structure designed to maintain a relatively uniform electric field in the discharge bore. The disclosed laser may be configured as a waveguide laser or a large bore laser operating in a non waveguide mode.A means for inductively coupling RF energy from a suitable RF energy source to the electrode structure and a means for attaching mirrors to the discharge tube using no organic sealing material is disclosed. Without physical contact between the active discharge and the metal excitation electrode structure or organic sealants, long lifetime, superior laser performance, and capability for liquid cooling of the discharge tube is achieved.

Abstract: An improved RF-waveguide laser has a waveguide with an asymmetric cross section that provides improved suppression of high order modes and increased efficiency.

Abstract: The generator comprises an envelope and two mirrors defining a resonant cavity, in which is maintained a monolithic wave-guide with a capillary. The capillary is formed in a thinned portion of the guide. Two electrodes extend over the thinned portion of the guide. The capillary is circular in cross section, this being obtained by drilling or extrusion of a cylindrical bar made of dielectric material. The circulation of the laser gas is excellent and the laser plasma uniform. The generator has multiple applications, for example in the medical field.

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: An improvement for a ring laser gyro employs insertion of a wavefront conjugating coupling element inside a laser cavity to reduce the lock-in threshold and to reduce the imbalance between the amplitudes of the opposite direction traveling waves (ODTW) in homogeneously broadened rotating ring lasers.

Abstract: A waveguide laser having a square bore and an external modulator has its power doubled by proper relationship of a coupled cavity external to a cavity in the waveguide medium.

Abstract: A waveguide gas laser is disclosed excited with bursts of a transverse rf electric field at a frequency ranging from about 30 MHz to about 3 GHz. The bursts have a duration ranging from about 0.1 .mu.sec. to about 10 .mu.sec. and a repetition rate ranging from about 500 Hz to about 100 kHz. This excitation is sufficiently rapid to produce gain switching in the laser gas, resulting in high peak power, short duration, single-line laser output pulses.

Abstract: A waveguide gas laser of improved stability and efficiency resulting from novel improvements. Such improvements, including longitudinal RF excitation, unique ballasting techniques, a novel drive circuit design that is immediately responsive to defeat unstable hot spot problems, and a controlled power excitation function, result in an RF excited waveguide gas laser that substantially overcomes disadvantages of prior art devices.In one embodiment the invention consists of a longitudinally excited RF waveguide laser in which the spacing geometry of the electrodes is variable independently of the waveguide chamber geometry resulting in increased performance efficiency. In addition, hot spot problems are eliminated or substantially reduced by capacitive ballasting achieved through novel structural configurations including electrodes that are isolated from the waveguide chamber by means of a suitable dielectric spacing medium such as ceramic or aluminum oxide.

Abstract: An RF discharge waveguide laser is modulated by an electro-optic modulator positioned in a second optical cavity coupled to a gain cavity containing the waveguide.

Abstract: An RF excited metal waveguide laser wherein one of the two opposed electrodes forming the discharge region has its top surface thereof formed as a waveguide thus eliminating the dielectric sidewalls used in prior art metal waveguide lasers. In the preferred embodiment, an enclosure having metal sidewalls and bottom has one of the electrodes attached thereto and the opposite electrode is attached to a dielectric cover on the enclosure. The laser gas can be circulated through the entire enclosure to aid in the cooling of the electrodes. The preferred shape of the waveguide electrode is with a longitudinal and transverse concave radius of curvature.

Abstract: A segmented ceramic tube for an argon-ion laser is fluid cooled and constructed to avoid shunting of current through the coolant.

Abstract: An argon-ion laser achieves low output power by using a plasma guide and mirror configuration which restricts lasing action to a portion of the resonator cavity at relatively high conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A sealing system including an elongated cylindrical member which has a first open end and a flat circular peripheral edge adjacent to the first open end and a circular member having has a flat surface which is disposed adjacent, but not contiguous, to the flat circular peripheral edge of the elongated cylindrical member. The sealing system also includes a coupling mechanism which mechanically couples the flat surface of the circular member to the first open end of the elongated cylindrical member. The improved seal is inserted between the flat surface of the circular member and the flat circular peripheral edge of the elongated cylindrical member to which the coupling mechanism applies a compressive force. The improved seal includes an annular member which has an outer surface and which is formed from a hard metallic material, which is relatively non-deformable by the compressive force, and which has a substantially circular cross-section. The annular member has a slot adjacent to its outer peripheral edge.

Abstract: In a gas laser composed of a capillary tube made of electrically nonconductive material and presenting a capillary passage, a reservoir tank whose interior is in communication with the passage, the tank including a cylindrical portion coaxially surrounding the capillary tube and axial end portions via which the tube is connected to the tank in a manner to seal the interior of the tank, a mass of active laser gas filling the interior of the reservoir tank and the capillary passage, a cathode disposed in the interior of the tank, a counterelectrode in communication with the capillary passage, and optical elements sealing the ends of the capillary passage, the capillary tube is symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the capillary passage and midway between the ends thereof, the counterelectrode is composed of two anodes each disposed at a respective axial end of the capillary tube, communication between the capillary passage and the interior of the tank is provided by an opening passing

Abstract: A digital signal having three logic levels is repeatedly applied to opposite facing electrodes of a waveguide type gas laser apparatus in order to excite laser gas positioned between said electrodes. The three logic level pulse form includes pulses having alternate positive, zero, negative, and zero voltage levels in order to permit D class amplification.

Abstract: A passively Q-switched laser system uses a common Q-switch cell to control two lasers. The first laser to turn on Q-switches the other laser.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 laser wave guide, which is excitable by a high frequency signal, as two boron nitride bodies (11a, 11b; 111a, 111b) which are held in position in a housing (10) by a specially shaped spring (14, 114) which presses the boron nitride bodies against the inner surface (10a) of the housing for good heat transfer and dissipation. A spacer (18) holds the boron nitride bodies apart to provide a gap (15) in which one electrode is held. The specially shaped spring operates, in addition to holding the boron nitride bodies in place, as the opposite electrode. This structure requires few parts and these parts do not have to meet high tolerance requirements, nor is it necessary to provide a high surface finish for the individual components.

Abstract: An RF excited gas laser having an optical cavity that is also a resonant cavity in the RF region is improved by the spacing of discrete inductors at fixed points along the cavity so that the problem present in the prior art of nonuniform excitation of the discharge along the cavity is eliminated and the discharge is essentially uniform throughout the cavity volume.

Abstract: A device and method for optical pumping in a whispering mode optical waveguide. Both a helical ribbon and cylinder are disclosed which incorporate an additional curvature for confining the beam to increase intensity. An optical pumping medium is disposed in the optical path of the beam as it propagates along the waveguide. Optical pumping is enhanced by the high intensities of the beam and long interaction pathlengths which are achieved in a small volume.

Abstract: An RF-discharge waveguide laser having two parallel waveguides is improved by the addition of coupling channels which permit the plasma in said waveguides to communicate.

Abstract: An RF-discharge waveguide laser incorporates two or more waveguides sharing a common set of discharge electrodes. The device may be used to provide two lasers operating on the same or different frequencies, or a single laser with two waveguides contributing to the power output.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing distributed feedback in a laser. Electrodes, formed on opposite sides of a waveguide cavity, form a spatially periodic electric field in an amplification medium which exhibits the Stark effect. The field induces a modulation in the laser gain function of the medium which produces laser feedback.

Abstract: Disclosure is directed to an apparatus for producing a microwave discharge n a supersonic gas flow such that the available microwave energy is deposited in the gas as completely and uniformly as possible through a substantial cross-section of the flow channel. The flow channel is provided within a waveguide and microwave energy is caused to be propagated through the waveguide substantially in the direction of the gas flow. A supersonic nozzle is provided in the channel dividing the channel into an upstream plenum and a downstream low pressure region, and the electric discharge occurs in the low pressure region just beyond the nozzle throat.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a sealed-off RF excited CO.sub.2 laser with a longer operating life. The invention, which relates to the method and the resulting laser, comprises means for stabilizing the laser gas chemistry otherwise affected by CO.sub.2 dissociation, O.sub.2 consumption, and outgassing of H.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. More specifically, the aluminum housing of the laser assembly is nickel-plated and then passivated by an oxidation technique using concentrated nitric acid. In addition, novel gettering substances, comprising either a group B metal or cellulose, are employed to adsorb hydrogen and/or water vapor to alleviate the outgassing problem.

Abstract: A waveguide laser having a gain medium excited by a capacitively coupled self-sustained discharge is disclosed. The gain medium is disposed within a dielectric waveguide having a capillary bore centrally located therein. A gain medium such as a rare gas halide mixture is excited by a capacitively coupled discharge between a power electrode circumferentially and axially enveloping a central portion of the waveguide and ground electrodes disposed proximate the ends of the waveguide between the mirrors defining the optical cavity of the laser. A preferred embodiment of the laser further includes means for circulating the gain medium through the waveguide. The present invention is adapted for providing pulses of radiation having a wavelength in the ultraviolet and visible spectrum and pulse widths typically less than 30 nanoseconds with peak powers in excess of one kilowatt.

Abstract: A waveguide gas laser of improved stability and efficiency resulting from novel improvements. Such improvements, including longitudinal RF excitation, unique ballasting techniques, a novel drive circuit design that is immediately responsive to defeat unstable hot spot problems, and a controlled power excitation function, result in an RF excited waveguide gas laser that substantially overcomes disadvantages of prior art devices.

Abstract: A high pressure, high power, compact laser fabricated from a block of material which is highly transparent at the wavelength of operation. The transmitting block contains a multiplicity of channels along the longitudinal axes thereof, each channel being of such a minute cross-section that a laser medium located within each channel is incapable of independently sustaining a lasing action in a waveguide mode of operation. The multiplicity of channels, in combination, provide sufficient gain for a laser mode propagating within the transmitting material and totality of channels thereby providing an extremely large output from a laser having a minimal cross-sectional configuration.