Abstract: A long-life pyrotechnic lamp particularly suited for use in a compact, low-cost laser employing a solid-state laser rod which is pumped by the optical radiation of a pyrotechnic lamp employing the direct combustion of a metal in a flowing oxygen-containing atmosphere. The metal is supported on and heated to ignition by a graphite rod. The metal comprises a cylinder having a centered longitudinal bore adapted to receive the rod therein and has its outer surface serrated or finned to greatly increase the surface area. In one embodiment, the fins are helical about the outer surface. In another embodiment, the outer surface of the metal is longitudinally slit. In both cases, the metal is subsequently sliced into segments.

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 long-life cesium lamp is disposed within an evacuable outer envelope surrounding a cesium lamp arc tube with their respective surfaces spaced a fixed distance apart so that a heat-transferring gas, such as helium, is disposed between the arc tube and the wall of the outer envelope. Furthermore, means are provided for cooling the outer envelope, such as by surrounding it with a water jacket. The resulting lamp system is capable of operating at higher levels of average lamp power and arc tube wall loading (watts/cm.sup.2) without causing too low a cesium pressure, as would happen if one directly water-cooled the alumina arc tube, and without causing too high an alumina arc tube temperature, as would happen if one merely evacuated the outer envelope.

Abstract: Flash tube comprising a discharge tube made from a transparent material, an electrode located at either end of the discharge tube, one electrode serving to be raised to earth potential and the other to a high potential, an electrical connection connecting each electrode to one of the conductors of a supply line, wherein each electrode is connected to the discharge tube by gaskets and wherein each electrical connection is positioned radially with respect to the discharge tube.The flash tube is intended more particularly for use in the optical pumping of lasers in the visible or near ultraviolet range.

Abstract: Devices for transmission of radiant energy from a convex source to a convex receiver wherein a concave wall reflects rays of selected angularity of source onto the receiver at a selected angularity and in a single reflection. Preferred devices permit transmission of extreme energy rays from a tubular source to a tubular receiver with one or less reflection.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting a slab of laser host material in a face pumped laser is provided which is operable to isolate the host from flexing caused by differential thermal expansion of the laser housing relative to the host mounting members. First and second stainless steel pedestals are respectively secured to the aluminum housing and first and second elongated, stainless steel rail support members are pivotally secured, respectively, through a pair of flex pivots each, to the first and second pedestals for isolating the support members from flexure of the pedestals. The host is secured between and to the rail support members by bonding with an RTV compound. In the preferred embodiment, one of the rail support members is provided with a diaphragm on one of its sides along the entire length thereof, to which is bonded one of the sides of the host, thus providing further isolation of the host from stresses caused by thermal expansion.

Abstract: A conduction cooled solid state laser comprises a laser rod and a pump lamp within a pump cavity in a housing constituting a heat sink, the remote exterior surfaces of the rod and lamp being covered by highly reflective metal foils in intimate contact with those surfaces and backed by a thermally conductive material between the foil and housing that is selected to provide a tailored thermal impedance. The foil acts as a highly efficient reflector and as a thermal contact element between the heat source (rod or lamp) and backing material, the latter, in either solid or fluid form, being selected to provide the desired thermal impedance between the source and sink to optimize component temperatures. The optically reflective and the heat transfer functions of the pumping operation are essentially separate from each other, enabling selection of materials for these respective functions to enhance performance of the laser and substantially simplify its construction.

Abstract: A glass laser amplifier having a number of trigger members comprising a number of flash lamps capable of emitting light to pump a laser glass arranged around said laser glass, a number of reflection mirrors for reflecting light from each of said flash lamps against said laser glass, and a number of trigger members each arranged at a side of a flash lamp opposite the reflection mirror with the flash lamp being held therebetween. Deflection of electric current in the flash lamp by the reflection mirrors is eliminated, and local heating of the inner wall of the flash lamp is prevented by the efficient elimination of the current deflection, resulting in an extensive life of the entire assembly.

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 long rare-gas halide excimer light source excited by a capacitively coupled discharge pumps a dye laser with high efficiency in a configuration matched to the length of the discharge.

Abstract: A right angle corner reflector is used to reflect different parts of a single incident collimated radiation beam such that a cylindrical region is equally irradiated transversely from four directions. The cylindrical region is positioned such that rays which strike the intersection of the corner reflector surfaces are tangent to the side of the cylindrical region. The cylindrical region is spaced from the corner reflector such that one quarter of the radiation incident upon the cylindrical region strikes the region directly, one quarter is first reflected from one of the corner reflector surfaces, one quarter is first reflected from the other corner reflector surface, and one quarter is reflected from first one and then the other corner reflector surface before striking the cylindrical region.

Abstract: A repetitively pulsed gas laser in which a system of mechanical shutters bracketing the laser cavity manipulate pressure waves resulting from residual energy in the cavity gas following a lasing event so as to draw fresh gas into the cavity and effectively pump spent gas in a dynamic closed loop.

Abstract: An improved laser apparatus is provided wherein a laser and a pump source comprising an array of GaAs or GaAlAs light emitting laser diodes or of excimer fluorescors or lasers which emits a large cross section beam of generally collimated pumping radiation are coupled by flux concentrating means comprising a compound parabolic concentrator.

Abstract: An optically pumped isotopic ammonia laser system which is capable of producing a plurality of frequencies in the middle infrared spectral region. Two optical pumping mechanisms are disclosed, i.e., pumping on R(J) and lasing on P(J) in response to enhancement of rotational cascade lasing including stimulated Raman effects, and, pumping on R(J) and lasing on P(J+2). The disclosed apparatus for optical pumping include a hole coupled cavity and a grating coupled cavity.