Abstract: A very compact flow loop for circulating gas through a pulsed laser or other pulsed discharge device is disclosed. An apparatus, having greater resistance to flow and shock wave propagation in the upstream direction, preferentially converts energy from the pulsed discharge residue into flow energy and causes flow through the discharge region in the desired downstream direction. The large available work in the discharge residue lets the efficiency of the conversion apparatus be very low and yet still provide sufficient flow power to circulate gas for purging a conventional flow loop without using a separate input of power to drive the purge flow. Moderate conversion efficiency provides sufficient flow power to allow compact, high loss components to be used for a very compact flow loop with no external flow circulation power and no rotating components.

Abstract: A matching means (2) is arranged in a power source portion (5) including an RF power source (1), an output impedance (Z.sub.0) of the RF power source (1) is matched by the matching means with a impedance (Z.sub.L) of a laser tube (4) connected through a power transmitting means (3). Therefore, the laser tube (4) arranged in a laser emitting portion (6) is effectually supplied with an RF power generated by the RF power source (1), and a stable laser beam can be emitted from the laser tube (4) with a high efficiency.

Abstract: A laser preionization electrode (15, 17) formed of a dielectric tube (16) of square cross-section enclosing an electrode (18) of circular cross-section, the electrode (18) being of a large diameter on the order of 6.35 millimeters. A pair of such electrodes (15, 17) are located on either side of a main electrode (11) in a laser with the result that longer length preionization electrodes may be constructed while eliminating alignment problems of the prior art.

Abstract: In order to improve an electrically excited, diffusion-cooled highpower laser comprising two wall surfaces slightly spaced from one another and forming an optical waveguide, the width of the wall surfaces being a multiple of the space between them and the surfaces enclosing between them a flow-free discharge chamber, and also comprising an optical resonator having resonator mirrors disposed at both ends of said waveguide, such that his results in a laser beam which can be well focused, it is suggested that the resonator be an optically unstable resonator including a beam path extending lengthwise of a resonator axis and having an expansion transverse to the resonator axis extending as far as at least one exiting laser beam and that the transverse expansion extend transversely to a longitudinal direction of the waveguide and approximately parallel to the wall surfaces.

Abstract: A triple point screen which electrically insulates the high voltage electrode in the discharge region of a gas discharge laser system. The screen is formed from an inorganic dielectric to withstand the corrosive atmosphere of the gas discharge laser. The triple point screen has a grounded conductive metal screen molded into the dielectric and positioned close to the triple point of the anode to substantially reduce the strength of the electric fields at the triple point.

Abstract: A gas laser device in which a laser medium gas is circulated in a discharge tube and a laser beam is generated from the gas excited by a high-frequency electric discharge, includes a high-frequency power supply (3) serving as an electric discharge power supply and a plurality of reflecting mirrors (6, 7) disposed axially in the discharge tube (1). The distance (d) between electrodes of the discharge tube (1) is selected such that electrons will not collide with side walls of the discharge tube based on the frequency (f) of the high-frequency power supply (1) and electron mobility. The oscillation efficiency of the laser beam is increased because of electron capture and since the distance traversed by the laser beam (9) in the discharge tube (1) is increased.

Abstract: An electrode for a discharge region of a transversely purged gas discharge laser. The electrode in a discharge region includes blocks of semiconductor material having widely different dielectric constants configured about the center and ground electrodes of the discharge region. When the electrode is subjected to a quickly changing voltage pulse, the different time constants of the blocks of semiconductor material cause a surface discharge to be generated near the surface of the electrode. This surface discharge preionizes the discharge region. Subsequently, as the semiconductor regions become more resistive, the surface discharge dissipates and the electrodes behaves as a resistively ballasted discharge electrode. An electronic circuit for driving the electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: A high pressure self-sustained gas laser operating at a high specific energy loading and long pulselength. The laser comprises an endless duct for circulating a laser generating gaseous medium and two discharge electrodes for exciting the molecules of the gaseous medium. Behind the discharge cathode electrode is an electron-beam transmitter for transmitting a beam of preionizing electrons into the gaseous medium to preionize the region near the cathode discharge electrode. The region unpreionized by the electron beam is ionized by drifting electrons from the cathode region and avalanche ionization. The applied discharge voltage never exceeds the glow voltage allowing low discharge flush factors under repetitive operation with flowing laser gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma apparatus where plasma is generated utilizing microwave discharge and laser excitation is performed and plasma processing is performed. More specifically, in a plasma apparatus where a microwave from a microwave oscillator is transmitted through a microwave transmission path to a microwave circuit, and plasma is generated by a microwave discharge within the microwave circuit, a plasma generating medium for generating the plasma is filled in a space formed between a conductor wall constituting a part of the microwave circuit and a dielectric installed opposite to the conductor wall, and the microwave circuit forms microwave mode having an electric field component orthogonal to the boundary between the dielectric and the plasma.

Abstract: A high-energy TE laser system, includes an excitation circuit, a laser head having an optical axis, a laser chamber with a gas space formed therein, at least two laser electrodes being disposed opposite each other and spaced apart in the laser chamber parallel to the optical axis of the laser head for producing an arc-free capacitor discharge between the electrodes being as homogenous as possible in the gas space for excitation, at least one rapid high-voltage switch, a pulse-forming network connected to the rapid high-voltage switch for producing high-voltage pulses at the laser electrodes with the rapid high-voltage switch, the pulse-forming network including first and second strip conductor capacitors respectively associated with the rapid high-voltage switch and with the laser head, the strip conductor capacitors including plates and dielectric layers disposed between the plates extended substantially normal to the optical axis of the laser head, forming a capacitor stack stacked substantially parallel to

Abstract: To eliminate a parasitic optical pulse and achieve other advantages a TEA CO.sub.2 gas laser has a sealed module 10 for providing photoionization radiation to a lasant gas mixture comprised of CO.sub.2. The sealed module includes a photoionization gas comprised of N.sub.2 and an envelope 12 for containing the photoionization gas. The module further includes within the envelope a preionizer device for inducing the photoionization gas to emit electromagnetic radiation within a predetermined range of wavelengths. The device is preferably a corona discharge type of semiconductor preionizer although spark discharge devices such as trigger wires, gaps and the like may be employed instead. The module further includes a window 32 which is comprised of material, such as LiF, that is substantially transparent to electromagnetic radiation within the predetermined range of wavelengths for coupling the electromagnetic radiation out of the envelope.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) excited waveguide gas laser has a hollow waveguide defined by dielectric or lossy materials and metal electrodes coated by thin films with small absorptions so that the metal electrodes are separated from the filling gas and the waveguide loss is very low. With such thin films on the electrodes, a sealed-off, high-power, compact waveguide gas laser having an extended life is realized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ring laser gyro which utilizes a gas impervious block containing at least three tunnels which meet to form a closed-loop, gas containing, cavity, and allow passage of laser beams therethrough. A pair of electrodes are positioned in alignment with one of the tunnels, and positioned relative to each other to support a current through the gas and establish a glow discharge region within a portion of one of the tunnels to induce a pair of counter-propogating laser beams to propogate through the established glow discharge region in a direction transverse to the direction of the discharge current.

Abstract: A pulsed gas laser having two spaced optical resonators each associated with a pair of high voltage electrodes. The first and second pairs of electrodes are positioned within a common plasma chamber including means for circulating a laser gas successively between the two pairs of electrodes. A common heat exchanger removes the heat energy from the two regions of plasma excitation. A high voltage pulse generator connected to the electrodes includes timing means for delaying the application of high voltage pulses to the second pair of electrodes, the delay being either (a) less than the time required for an acoustic shock wave to travel through the lasing gas from the first to the second pair of electrodes or (b) longer than the time required for the shock wave created by the discharge of the first pair of electrodes to die out. Each optical resonator is provided with an adjustable mirror arranged to reflect laser pulses to and from a mirror grating.

Abstract: A radio frequency excited carbon dioxide laser (50) is stabilized by sensing (66) variation in output power to generate a feedback signal (68,78 ) that is employed to vary amplitude of the radio frequency exciting signal from a power source (62). Frequency modulation of the laser output is achieved by varying the amplitude of the radio frequency signal from a power source (62) in response to a frequency modulating control signal from a modulation source (74). Both stabilization and frequency modulation are accomplished by combining the sensed power feedback signal with the frequency modulation control signal in a summing circuit (70) and employing the combined signal to vary magnitude of the radio frequency exciting signal.

Abstract: To eliminate a parasitic optical pulse and achieve other advantages a TEA CO.sub.2 gas laser (10) has a main discharge compartment (14) which includes a pair of oppositely disposed electrodes (16,18) which define an electrical discharge region therebetween. The main discharge compartment contains a lasant gas mixture comprised of CO.sub.2 /He, the lasant gas mixture being substantially devoid of N.sub.2. Disposed on opposite sides of the main discharge compartment are preionization compartments (30,32) which contain a N.sub.2 /He gas mixture. Partitions (48,50) separate the preionization compartments from the main discharge compartment, the partitions being transparent to electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths of approximately 0.1 to 0.2 micrometers. The preionization compartments further include preionizer devices (34,36) which are electrically coupled to the electrodes and to a pulsed high voltage power supply. The preionizers ionize the N.sub.

Abstract: A discharge excitation type short pulse laser device is provided with a preliminary ionization circuit, the effeciency of preliminary ionization of which is remarkably improved. The laser device comprises a main discharge circuit including first and second main electrodes which are confronted with each other in a laser medium, main discharge capacitor means for storing energy for main discharge, and a discharge starting high voltage switch; and a preliminary ionization circuit connected to said high voltage switch, said preliminary ionization circuit including a discharging gap for preliminary ionization, a preliminary ionization capacitor and an inductance.

Abstract: The invention is described as embodied in a plasma chamber for use in gas lasers. A sealed nitrogen gas laser is provided with a pair of capacitance coupled, symmetrically positioned pre-ionizer elements in the form of a pair of insulated wire loops extending from one electrode to the region adjacent the other electrode. All parts of the plasma chamber accessible to ultraviolet radiation or ionized gases and are formed entirely of inorganic materials, such as ceramic and quartz, eliminating previously unrecognized difficulties resulting from the use of plastic or other organic materials in the chamber construction, thus making possible a sealed low-power nitrogen laser having a relatively long life.

Abstract: A transverse electrically excited gas laser comprises a mixture of rare gases and a fluorine donor at selected partial pressures so as to permit UV and/or visible rare gas-halide laser oscillation at two or more wavelengths simultaneously.

Abstract: An atmospheric laser which is transversely excited includes main and preliminary discharge electrodes. Life of laser gas used to promote ionization between the main discharge electrodes is lengthened by providing a sufficient number of preliminary discharge electrodes, at a distance sufficiently close to the main discharge electrodes to promote preliminary ionization in a preliminary discharge space, prior to discharge in the main discharge space. According to preferred embodiments of the invention, one of the rare gases such as He is provided in the preliminary discharge space, and a mixture of CO.sub.2, N.sub.2, and He is provided in the main discharge. In order to enable the preliminary discharge electrodes to be closer to the main discharge electrodes, air may be used in place of one of the rare gases in the preliminary discharge space, so that the overall apparatus may be made yet smaller.

Abstract: A laser having a combination of end and side pumping so as to produce high power pulsed output with little or no delay between side pump pulses and laser output pulses, with suppressed spiking due to gain switching, and with high modulation rates. An active medium, such as a solid state laser rod, in a resonant optical cavity is pumped by a first optical pump source directing radiant energy into an end of the active medium so as to encourage or establish lasing operation in a desired transverse cavity mode, such as the TEM.sub.00 mode. A second optical pump source directs additional radiant energy into a side of the active medium so as to amplify the intensity of the laser output in the desired mode.

Abstract: A gas laser generator comprises a frame, a gas channel through which a gas flows, a mirror for obtaining a laser beam, defining a resonant cavity, an anode electrode and at least two first and at least two second cathode electrodes arranged in the lower and the upper portions of the resonant cavity, respectively, and a power source, in which a first voltage of a first electric field between the first cathode electrodes connected to the power source through a first ballast resistance and the anode electrode and a second voltage of a second electric field between the second cathode electrodes connected to the power source through a second ballast resistance and the anode electrode are so determined that the former is smaller than the latter so that the current flowing in the first electric field may be substantially equal to the current flowing in the second electric field during the electric discharges between the electrodes.

Abstract: A gas laser device comprises a discharge tube made of a dielectric material; a laser medium gas which is circulated at a high speed within the discharge tube in the axial direction of the discharge tube; an optical resonator composed of a total refelection mirror and a partial reflection mirror, both being disposed in mutual confrontation at both ends of the discharge tube; a plurality of electrodes oppositely provided on the outer periphery of the discharge tube; and a power source for applying an a.c. voltage to the oppositely provided electrodes to generate silent discharge.

Abstract: A waveguide laser having a discharge channel and two cooling channels formed in ceramic parts have the cooling channels being broader than the discharge channel, and the cooling profile parts which contain the cooling channels being soldered to both sides of the discharge profile part containing the discharge channel. The discharge profile part is formed of a channel part and a cover part.

Abstract: A high frequency cross-flow gas laser has a tubular conduit divided into a multiplicity of gas flow sections with gas inlets adjacent each of the mirrors therein and outlets therebetween. A pair of electrodes is provided along each flow section to produce a high frequency electrical discharge in the lasing gas mixture, and a cooler is used to chill the gas withdrawn from the conduit for recycling thereto. The electrode pairs are desirably radially rotated relative to one another to produce uniformity of the energy discharge across the cross-section of the lasing gas mixture.

Abstract: For the excitation of a discharge in a laser gas, an electrode arrangement is provided which consists of at least two elongated electrodes wound approximately in a cylindrical helical line. The double helix thus formed is arranged on or concentrically within a gas flow tube.

Abstract: An RF laser structure (10) is disclosed which includes an elongated laser excitation cavity (27) and an electrode structure (20) for suppressing extraneous RF discharges outside of the laser cavity. The electrode structure includes an electrode (41) adjacent the elongated laser cavity (27) and extending along the laser cavity; a conductive structure (43, 45) adjacent and conductively coupled to the electrode (41) for shielding the electrode and for providing smooth conductive surfaces; and a dielectric filler (47) encapsulating the electrode and the conductive structure, and for controlling the electric field generated by the electrode structure so that extraneous discharges are suppressed. Also disclosed is a method for making a laser electrode structure which includes the steps of forming an electrode adjacent the elongated laser cavity, and encapsulating the electrode with a dielectric potting material.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for a gas laser has primary circuitry and secondary circuitry supplied by the primary circuitry. A transformer is positioned between the primary circuitry and a secondary circuitry. Within the secondary circuitry is a spark gap and associated circuitry for creating a voltage buildup to achieve a high ionization voltage required for the laser and for releasing the high ionization voltage in pulses for starting the laser. The circuit further includes laser operating supply circuitry associated with the secondary circuitry and the primary circuitry for supplying the laser at a normal operating voltage much lower than the ionization voltage after the laser has started.

Abstract: An improved railgap switch for use with pulse discharge gas lasers. The blade of the prior art railgap switches is replaced by an electrode having an "T" shaped cross section which provides two edges along which arcs are generated. The thickness of the "T" cross section near the edges at which arcs are formed is relatively uniform and oriented at a constant distance from the second electrode so that the thickness and distance remains unchanged despite ablation of the edges of the electrode. As a consequence the electrical properties of the switch are not altered significantly by ablation caused by repetitive operation of the switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides three embodiments of circuitry, responsive to the application of an energizing pulse to the high pressure tube of a hybrid laser, for de-energizing the normally continuously energized low-pressure tube of the hybrid laser for only a given time interval which is longer than the duration of the high-energy pulse of coherent wave energy generated by the high pressure tube when energized. This solves a prior-art problem of sporadic spike emissions by the low-pressure tube during the time interval in which echoes from objects of interest are being received by a LIDAR employing a hybrid laser transmitter portion.

Abstract: In order of maintaining at the more constant level the CO.sub.2 content in the gaseous mixture discharge of a transversely excited atmospheric pressure laser, a polymer product is included in advance of the laser operation in the laser chamber or within the closed fluidtight circuit where the gaseous mixture is recycled. Such polymer is produced by irradiating tripropylamine with ultraviolet photons and/or with energy electrons in the form of a layer whereby at least a portion of a solid support is coated.

Abstract: A transversally excited gas laser whose main discharge is initiated by a corona discharge triggered between auxiliary electrodes. The auxiliary electrodes are thereby respectively composed of a conductor which is enveloped by a jacket of dielectric which forms a single part. The jacket is provided with an incision between the two conductors parallel to the longitudinal axis, facing the main discharge path, and also is metallized at its outside. The incision projects UV light of the corona discharge into the region of the main discharge path and thus generates free electrons where they are most effective. The outside metallization increases the capacitance of the auxiliary electrode arrangement; and as a result, the corona discharge is intensified. The main discharge may possibly also be delayed such that the firing ensues in a more greatly ionized 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 high-energy TE laser system, includes an excitation circuit having supply lines, a laser head having an optical axis, a laser chamber with a gas space formed therein, at least two laser electrodes being disposed opposite each other and spaced apart in the laser chamber parallel to the optical axis of the laser head for producing an arc-free capacitor discharge between the electrodes being as homogeneous as possible in the gas space for excitation, at least one rapid high-voltage switch, a pulse-forming network connected to the rapid high-voltage switch for producing high-voltage pulses at the laser electrodes with the rapid high-voltage switch, the pulse-forming network including first and second strip conductor capacitors respectively associated with the rapid high-voltage switch and with the laser head, and the pulse-forming network including first and second equivalent inductances of the excitation circuit formed of self-inductances of the high-voltage switch, the laser head, the supply lines of the exci

Abstract: A temperature responsive, gas entrapping material contained in a chamber connected to a gas laser tube selectively entraps gas to regulate the pressure in the laser tube. A temperature regulator adjusts the temperature of the gas entrapping material and thereby controls the pressure of the gas in the laser tube. The temperature of the gas entrapping material can be adjusted by cooling or by heating. The pressure in the laser tube is monitored. The tube voltage can be used to monitor the pressure. Temperature adjustment of the gas entrapping material permits development of optimum gas pressure in the laser tube for different wave lengths. In one embodiment the laser is a krypton gas laser and the gas entrapping material is activated charcoal or alumino-silicate. The gas entrapping material may be heated, during assembly of the gas laser, to a temperature high enough to remove foreign material which might otherwise interfere with the operation of the laser tube.

Abstract: A discharge excitation type short pulse laser device which is constructed with first and second main electrodes disposed in confrontation with the direction of the laser beam axis as their longitudinal direction, an auxiliary electrode provided on the rear surface part of the second main electrode and opposed to the second main electrode through the dielectric member, a pulse circuit for applying a pulse voltage across the first and second main electrodes, and a circuit for applying a voltage across the auxiliary electrode and the second main electrode, the circuit forming a part of the pulse circuit, or being independent of the pulse circuit, wherein the second main electrode is made of an electrically conductive material having a plurality of apertures therein, the second main electrode and the dielectric member are disposed in tight adhesion each other, and the second main electrode is thinly formed to enable creeping discharge to be produced on the surface of the dielectric member, thereby distributing el

Abstract: A TE laser amplifier has a fully closed metal housing. This fact, its geometry, and that of its electrodes (5-7) and/or the reversal of the output polarity make possible a homogenous field distribution, a capability to influence the local amplification process in the laser medium, and a relatively long lifetime of the gas and the laser.

Abstract: The generator is excited by an electric discharge through the gas between two electrodes (6, 7), at least one of which (6) is made of silicon carbide.

Abstract: Four broad metal vanes form two pairs of contoured metal sheets arranged symmetrically about orthogonal planes of a discharge device to provide a uniform and properly shaped electric field for a discharge region between opposed slab electrodes situated between upper and lower pairs of the vanes in proximity to electrode edges. The electrodes border the region inside a housing having dielectric wall portions interposed between broad surface portions of the vanes and the discharge region located intermediate the electrodes. The electric field is delineated by the vanes so as to inhibit discharge tracking on the wall portions bounding the discharge region.

Abstract: An infrared laser energy generating apparatus, specifically a transverse excited atmospheric (TEA) laser generating apparatus incorporating a low pressure gain cell and tunable reflecting means to eliminate mode-beating and gain-spiking of the laser beam, to select a given lasing transition, and to accomplish this selection and filtering of a high power, large diameter laser beam using smaller diameter optical components.

Abstract: In electrically pumped CO.sub.2 gas lasers, there take place widely different chemical and physical processes which lead, at least partially, to undesirable interactions of the gases among themselves, and/or of the gases with the electrical and/or the optical field and/or with the materials used in the gas-filled chambers. Bodies that are equipped with surface area-enlarging structures are included in the discharge or resonator chamber or in adjacent secondary chambers. The secondary chambers by themselves act as reservoirs or as carriers of reservoirs for suitable catalysts and gas components and/or the heating of the catalysts, and have a predetermined influence over the conditions of volume and/or pressure and/or temperature. The inclusion of such secondary chambers and such structures which enlarge surface area inside the chambers make possible the attainment of at least an approximate state of equilibrium, which leads to uniformly good discharge and long life with high laser efficiency.

Abstract: An excitation system for generating a fast pulsed high-voltage discharge into a load, especially for exciting a high-power laser, by an arc-free capacitor discharge which is as homogeneous as possible. The system includes a laser chamber wherein two laser electrodes are oppositely located and spaced from one another, and extending parallel to an optical axis of the laser chamber; and a high voltage supply unit; a pulse forming network which further includes, in a shunt branch connected in series with the stripline capacitors, at least one fast high-voltage switching element, which, due to its activation the high-voltage pulses are generated at the laser electrodes.

Abstract: A transverse discharge excitation laser is disclosed which includes a dielectric structure (11, 13, 111, 113, 211, 213) for defining an elongated laser excitation cavity (27, 127, 231) suitable for containing a laser gas and maintaining a laser exciting discharge in the laser gas, and further includes opposing conductive electrodes (33, 41, 129, 133, 237, 245) adjacent the laser cavity. The electrodes are sufficiently small to produce a laser exciting discharge within a predetermined region of the laser cavity and to provide optimum efficiency for the desired mode of operation. The electrodes are particularly adjacent opposing walls of the cavity which have a width W, and at least one of the electrodes has a width which is less than the wall width W.

Abstract: An excitation circuit for laser systems with excitation by a maximally homogeneous, arc-free capacitor discharge in a gas space of a laser head between at least two mutually spaced-apart laser electrodes includes at least one fast acting high-voltage switch activatable via a pulse-forming network connected thereto for generating high-voltage pulses at the laser electrodes; first and second stripline capacitors and appertaining equivalent inductances operatively associated with the pulse-forming network and the high-voltage switch and the laser head; preionization devices operatively connected to the laser electrodes and having a plurality of members of at least one of surface discharge gap members and preionization rod members, together with auxiliary circuit connected thereto, the auxiliary circuits being connected to the pulse-forming network for providing all auxiliary voltages and currents for operating the preionization devices, the auxiliary circuits being connectible, in addition to ground potential of

Abstract: The present invention is a configuration of electrodes in a transversely excited gas laser which includes an elongated cylindrical chamber with a laser gas confined therein, a pair of reflectors which reflect light energy from a discharge of the laser gas within the chamber so that the light energy travels longitudinally the length thereof, an rf generator which applies a voltage of alternating polarity between the electrodes at a frequency ranging from 10 Mhz to about 3 GHz to establish the laser gas discharge, a coupling circuit which matches the steady state reactive impedance of the chamber to the impedance of the rf generator and couples the rf generator to the electrodes. The configuration of the electrodes, each of which is formed from an electrically conductive material and is in the shape of a continuous helix, includes a first electrode and a second electrode each of which is disposed opposite to the other on the outer surface of the chamber in a first plane.

Abstract: In a laser using an electrical discharge produced between a pair of electrodes a catalyst is used for the recombination of gain medium components dissociated by the discharge. The catalyst material is confined by a catalyst container made of conductive material. The container has apertures smaller than the smallest catalyst particle and bigger than the molecule size of the gain medium. The conductive surface forms a cage which protects the catalyst, usually a powder, from the dispersing effects of the large electric fields present in the laser, and the aperture size allows the gain medium to contact the catalyst while preventing the catalyst powder from dispersing throughout the laser. The cage is placed adjacent the region in which the discharge takes place. Preferably, the cage is placed in contact with one of the electrodes in order to transfer heat from the electrode to the catalyst.

Abstract: A transversely excited gas laser, includes: an elongated gas-filled discharge chamber having an optical axis; a main cathode electrode and a main anode electrode extended along the optical axis in the discharge chamber defining a main discharge space between the main cathode and the main anode electrodes through which the optical axis extends, the main electrodes bordering two sides of the main discharge space leaving two other sides open; two pairs of auxiliary electrodes each being extended parallel to the optical axis in vicinity of a respective one of the open sides of the main discharge space and mutually spaced apart by a given distance, each of the auxiliary electrodes including a conductor and a dielectric shell surrounding the conductor, each of the auxiliary electrodes being spaced from all of the other electrodes by a set breakdown distance; and a driving unit connected to the electrodes, the driving unit supplying different potentials to the main cathode and main anode electrodes producing a main

Abstract: An inductively stabilized, long pulse duration transverse discharge apparatus. The use of a segmented electrode where each segment is attached to an inductive element permits high energy, high efficiency, long-pulsed laser outputs to be obtained. The present apparatus has been demonstrated with rare-gas halide lasing media. Orders of magnitude increase in pulse repetition frequency are obtained in lasing devices that do not utilize gas flow.

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 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.