Abstract: A microwave excited gas laser apparatus includes a single unit having at least first, second, third, and fourth waveguides. The first and second waveguides meet at a first intersection. The third and fourth waveguides meet at a second intersection. A discharge tube contains a laser medium gas, and extends through the first and second intersections. Microwaves are radiated into the first, second, third, and fourth waveguides. The discharge tube in the first intersection is exposed to a microwave propagated along the first waveguide and a microwave propagated along the second waveguide. The discharge tube in the second intersection is exposed to a microwave propagated along the third waveguide and a microwave propagated along the fourth waveguide.

Abstract: An improved laser electrode coating is disclosed for use in conjunction with CO.sub.2 lasers. The coating utilizes dual layers of materials. The first layer is a dielectric material while the second layer is a catalyst. The combination of the two layers helps to reduce the electric field intensity within the amplification volume of the laser while improving the rate of recombination of disassociated CO.sub.2. The coating increases both the power output and efficiency of a standard CO.sub.2 laser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating uniform, transverse-electrical discharges in gaseous media between two principal discharge electrodes is described. At least one of the electrodes is segmented and a differential voltage is generated between the segments. Voltage from a single high-voltage source is applied between the principal discharge electrodes and between the segments of the segmented electrode through a single switch. A differential voltage suitable for producing a discharge between the segments is generated therebetween from the high-voltage source by using a differential impedance circuit. Once sufficient ionization is generated, a discharge between the principal electrodes occurs. The invention has been demonstrated to be useful for providing electrical excitation for a carbon dioxide laser oscillator which may be operated in either a flowing gas or sealed mode.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide gas laser oscillation apparatus having one or more discharge tubes each having a pair of anode and cathode electrodes at least one of which is non-grounded and one or more high voltage DC power sources each connected between the pair of electrodes of each discharge tube provides with one or more conductors each being arranged on each discharge tube in the vicinity of the non-grounded electrode of the pair of electrodes but on one side of the non-grounded electrode opposite to a space between the pair of electrodes. The CO.sub.2 gas laser oscillation apparatus further provides with one or more current detection circuit for detecting a current flowing between zero-potential terminal and ground terminal of the high voltage DC power source, thereby enabling to detect an abnormal discharge within each discharge tube.

Abstract: A Transverse Excitation (TE) laser that produces a uniform discharge by utilizing a layered resistive electrode assembly, which includes a layer of positive temperature coefficient material that works in combination with a layer of negative coefficient material. The layered resistive electrode assembly distributes the discharge current uniformly throughout the electrode assembly and the associated gas discharge, and compensates for temperature induced resistivity variations of the electrode assembly.

Abstract: An electrode for a gas discharge laser. Electrodes which consist, at least in part, of zirconium are suggested for use in gas discharge lasers containing fluorine.

Abstract: An ultraviolet range laser comprising a vacuum vessel having an open end portion hermetically sealed with an output mirror glass substrate, which is featured in that the output mirror glass substrate is formed of a glass material which is capable of allowing a laser beam of 337 nm in wavelength to pass therethrough at a transmittance of 80 to 96% as measured when the thickness of the glass substrate is set to 5 mm and whose thermal expansion coefficient falls in the range of 44.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. to 55.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. at a temperature of 0.degree. C. to 300.degree. C., and in that a metallic sealing ring is hermetically attached to the open end portion of vacuum vessel and the hermetical sealing of the open end portion of vacuum vessel with the output mirror glass substrate is achieved by hermetically adhering the output mirror glass substrate onto the metallic sealing ring via a low melting point solder glass interposed therebetween.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor device includes an active layer through which light travels, having opposed first and second surfaces; a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type disposed on the first surface of the active layer; a first electrode contacting the first conductivity type semiconductor layer; a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, opposite the first conductivity type, disposed on the second surface of the active layer; a second electrode contacting the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; a wire bonded to one of the first and second electrodes at a position in the resonator length direction corresponding to a localized maximum of a light density distribution in the active layer along the resonator length direction.

Abstract: A pair of elongated, parallel electrodes (91,92) are insulatively mounted within a tubular housing (111) filled with a laser gas mixture between an arrangement of reflective optical elements (120,150) sealingly mounted at each end of the housing. The electrodes form a rectangular gas discharge area (40) the minimum spacing (a) between which is the diameter of the fundamental free-space mode of the stable, laser resonator (17) formed in the gap when the electrodes are rf excited (13). A multi-pass optical configuration (30,50) uses the full width (b) of the active medium to produce a high power, compact laser (10,200). Deformable support rings (97) are compressed to push the electrodes apart against small cylindrical spacers (99) abutting the inner walls of the housing to maintain the electrodes' spatial relationship. The rf feeds (103) sealingly (112) connected to the electrodes through the housing Without disturbing the uniform distribution of forces on the electrodes.

Abstract: Apparatus for non-destructively inspecting for faults in or beneath the surface of structures, such as debonds or delaminations in composite materials, or cracks, broken stringers, delaminations and the like in semi-monocoque structures, includes at least one spark gap discharge device displaced from the test object which focuses an acoustic pulse onto a small local area of the object for vibrationally exciting the surface of that area. A laser Doppler camera system, also displaced from the test object directs a laser beam onto the excited area and derives from light energy reflected back from the excited area the velocity of out-of-surface displacement of, and relaxation frequencies generated by, the surface of the excited area and provides an indication of whether a fault is present in that area.

Abstract: A slab laser includes cooled, mutually parallel electrodes having a given thickness. The electrodes have flat surfaces facing each other and defining a discharge chamber therebetween for containing a gas to be pumped, and the electrodes have flat surfaces facing away from the discharge chamber. Each of the electrodes has a plurality of sections being spatially separated from one another over at least a portion of the given thickness of the respective electrode. The electrodes are supported in such a way that movements of the flat surfaces facing away from the discharge chamber being caused by thermal expansion are opposed by only a negligible mechanical resistance.

Abstract: A gas laser having a housing including a discharge region that contains a lasing gas medium, a pair of DC electrodes having primary surfaces facing toward the discharge region, the primary surfaces being arranged in substantially parallel planes, and a pair of RF electrodes having secondary surfaces facing toward the discharge region, the secondary surfaces being in substantially parallel planes with the secondary surfaces being arranged substantially orthogonal to the primary surfaces. The gas laser also has an RF power source connected between said pair of RF electrodes and selectively generating an RF discharge in the discharge region, and a DC power source connected between said pair of DC electrodes and selectively generating a DC discharge in the discharge region.

Abstract: A gas laser consisting of a single elongated piece of dielectric material (1), with two hermetically sealed parallel elongated chambers (2) and (3), and an opening (4) connecting the two chambers. One of the elongated chambers (2) is of a cross section suitable for confining a laser gas discharge. The other elongated chamber (3) is a reservoir for laser gas, which also functions to dampen the unwanted acoustic waves generated by the laser gas discharge and as a means of extending the operating lifetime of the laser gas. The opening connecting the two elongated chambers serves to dampen the acoustic waves generated by the laser gas discharge traveling the length of the elongated laser chamber and to stop unwanted low angle wall reflections of laser light energy traveling at a slight angle to the length of the laser chamber.

Abstract: A laser device is capable reducing fluctuation of the beam width of the output laser beam due to abrasion of its discharge electrodes. A part of the contour shape of a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber of the laser device in at least one of the electrodes, which part confronts the other one of the electrodes, has a shape of a circular arc having a predetermined radius. The width of at least one of the two electrode may be substantially equal to the width of electric discharge taken place between the electrodes. Further, a conductor member may be disposed on each side of the electrode along its longitudinal axis to reduce electric field strength therearound.

Abstract: A laser device is capable reducing fluctuation of the beam width of the output laser beam due to abrasion of its discharge electrodes. A part of the contour shape of a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber of the laser device in at least one of the electrodes, which part confronts the other one of the electrodes, has a shape of a circular arc having a predetermined radius. The width of at least one of the two electrode may be substantially equal to the width of electric discharge taken place between the electrodes. Further, a conductor member may be disposed on each side of the electrode along its longitudinal axis to reduce electric field strength therearound.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement on U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,999, titled, "Laser Apparatus Utilizing a Magnetically Enhanced Electrical Discharge." That patent describes a method of forming a thin, flat discharge (slab discharge) bounded by two facing surfaces where a magnetic field is oriented perpendicular to the surfaces. This invention teaches that it is possible to improve the stability of the slab discharge by adding an AC electric field perpendicular to the facing surfaces.

Abstract: In order to produce a gas discharge structure for two-dimensionally extending gas discharges comprising a pair of electrodes including a first and a second electrode which have mutually facing electrode surfaces, a gas discharge space arranged between the electrode surfaces with a plasma gas provided therein and a high frequency source with which a current can be fed into the pair of electrodes for producing a plasma between the first and the second electrode, in such a way that wavelength dependent modulations of the field strength substantially no longer occur in the gas discharge space, it be proposed that, the electrode surface of the first electrode is divided into two partial electrode surfaces that are located adjacent to one another in this electrode surface but are electrically separated from one another, that the partial electrode surfaces have mutually facing edge regions which extend at a defined distance from one another, that the partial electrode surfaces be connected to two terminals of the hi

Abstract: In a stripline laser, the spacer rods are traversed by coolant, and are of composite structure for compensating the longitudinal expansions and define the invariant spacing of the two resonator mirrors that are indirectly firmly joined with the spacer rods.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a laser apparatus capable of efficient oscillation with an excitation power source with comparatively low frequency, wherein discharge is obliquely generated within the rectangular section of a discharge space. There is also provided a laser apparatus with a pair of preliminary discharge excitation electrodes which can readily initiate discharge. There is further provided a laser apparatus capable of efficient oscillation with an excitation power source with comparatively low frequency, wherein provided is a pair of discharge excitation electrodes located in the major side direction of discharge space whose length is more than three times as long as that of minor side direction thereof. There is further provided a laser apparatus with a pair of discharge excitation electrodes whose dimension is smaller than that of a pair of dielectric plates, which apparatus can prevent undesirable discharge.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF)-excited waveguide laser of improved efficiency is disclosed. Features which contribute to efficiency include a constriction in the RF cavity cross section which effects an intense, uniform electric field in the gas discharge region, discontinuities in the electrode surfaces bounding the discharge gap region which defeat longitudinal resonances in the RF cavity and thereby provide longitudinal uniformity in the gap region electric field, and dielectric tube(s) for confining gas in the discharge gap region. Additional versions of the invention include open-loop and closed-loop frequency tuning of the laser RF cavity and modular RF cavities which can be connected to achieve higher optical output power.

Abstract: Several different cold cathode configurations for a gas discharge device each having a plurality of grooves of selected spacing, depth and width to improve the emission of electrons in a gas discharge device. Each of the cold cathode configurations can be machined from a single piece of a selected material. Several of the configurations can be assembled with individual elements which is easily seen from the various figures.

Abstract: A laser discharge tube having electrodes the peeling of which is reduced and a method of manufacturing electrodes of a laser discharge tube by which the peeling of the electrodes is reduced. The electrodes are adhered to the outside periphery of the tube wall of the laser discharge tube. The electrodes contain as components an electric conductive substance, an inorganic binder and boron nitride as a thermal expansion preventing substance for suppressing a coefficient of thermal expansion. When a silica glass tube is used as the laser discharge tube, the laser discharge tube has a coefficient of thermal expansion of +0.5.times.10.sup.-6. When the electrodes are mixed with boron nitride, the electrodes have a coefficient of thermal expansion of +2 to +7.times.10.sup.-6 and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the electrodes can be brought close to the that of the laser discharge tube by mixing boron nitride with the electrodes.

Abstract: Compact electron gun having a microdot electron source and a semiconductor laser using said gun for electronic pumping. A compact electron gun is provided having a microdot electron emitting source (2), an anode (8) spaced from the microdots, means (16) for applying a high voltage to the and, array (10) of electrodes distributed around the bean emitted by the source for the strip focussing thereof onto the anode. The array also serves as an electrostatic screen for the source with respect to the high voltage of the array. The array is positioned between the source and the anode and has at least two pairs of electrodes (18, 18b, 20a, 20b) of different dimensions which are raised to respectively positive and negative voltages. The positive and the negative voltages produce a weak electrostatic field between the source and the electrode array and a strong electrostatic field between the electrode array and the anode.

Abstract: A micro gas laser that provides a very high power to size or weight ratio by including a laser array featuring common optics and common discharge structures. The gas laser includes a laser housing enclosing a supply of laser gas and elongated first and second electrodes. The electrodes are parallel to each other and form a rectangular discharge section between them. Two elongated bore separators extend between the first and second electrodes to divide the discharge section into the three elongated resonator cavities. The bore separators are thin ceramic wafers that electrically isolate the resonator cavities from each other, but retain sufficient thermal conductivity to provide efficient diffusion cooling. The gas laser includes means to apply an electric field between the electrodes sufficient to create a laser beam in each of the three resonator cavities.

Abstract: A diffusion-cooled CO.sub.2 stripline laser having reduced ignition voltage is provided. In order to facilitate the ignition of the stripline laser, an auxiliary discharge path is provided which is formed either by segmentation of the HF electrode or by at least one auxiliary electrode that is arranged along the electrode surface and adjacent to the discharge path.

Abstract: A laser system comprises an optical head, a power supply and a computer for controlling the power supply. The optical head comprises a pair of mirrors and four pumping sections. Each pumping section comprises a pair of gas discharge lamps pumping an Nd:YAG laser element. The power supply provides the lamps with alternating current at 25 kHz so that the laser system produces a continuous, modulated or pulsed output light beam. The power supply comprises three boost converters connected in parallel for converting three phase mains supply to direct current and four DC-AC converters. Each DC-AC converter converts the DC output from the boost converters to an AC supply for the lamps of a respective one of the pumping sections.

Abstract: In a stripline laser, each electrode is fashioned as a composite of a carrier part having a mechanically stable profile and a plate-shaped electrode part having integrated cooling that is hard-soldered or welded thereto and faces toward the discharge gap.

Abstract: Low power discharge preionizers, or species, are provided by a ionizable species generator that preconditions a laser gas to eliminate arcing in lasers, such as pulsed (high repetition rate) lasers. The present invention creates the species in a low power discharge and the species prevents initial arcs from occurring between high voltage electrodes of the laser. The laser comprises a pressure vessel containing the laser gas, a fan for circulating the laser gas, a heat exchanger, a catalyst, and two high voltage discharge electrodes for exciting the laser gas to create lasing. A high voltage power source is coupled to the electrodes for providing a discharge voltage thereto. A primary auxiliary discharge source is disposed adjacent to the electrodes that is used as a preionizer that creates a low density of charged particles in the main discharge volume to act as a uniform seed for the main voltage pulse derived from the electrodes.

Abstract: A stripline laser has its HF voltage distribution optimized by grounding springs. A grounded electrode is connected to an outside wall with electrically conductive connector elements, and is preferably connected thereto at a plurality of locations along its axial extent.

Abstract: A high power, high PRF, pulsed laser diode driver including an optically activated three terminal semiconductor switch, capable of generating high peak power light pulses with an ultra-narrow pulsewidth at a high PRF.

Abstract: A gas laser device includes a high frequency power source for generating a high frequency output voltage and a pair of electrodes positioned sandwiching a discharge gap through which laser gas circulates. The pair of the electrodes are connected to the high frequency power source for applying the high frequency output voltage across the electrodes to achieve discharge in the discharge gap and to thereby generate laser light. Each of the electrodes includes an electrode element, a capacity coupling control element provided on either side of the electrode element, and a dielectric shell. The dielectric shell surrounds the electrode element and the capacity coupling control element, therefore the discharge occurs between the dielectric shells of a pair of the electrodes. The dielectric constant of the capacity coupling control means is lower than that of the dielectric shell.

Abstract: A slab laser amplifier array includes a plurality of parallel, stacked, laser resonators, with each resonator having a walk-off mode of propagation of laser light from an input side of the resonator to an output side of the resonator where the exiting light diffracts around the resonator mirror. A source of a plurality of phase related, for example co-phasal, light beams supplies phase related light to each input side. The source of phase related light may be a source of one single mode beam followed by a telescope with an aperture having plural stops or a co-phasal array of laser resonators. A laser array of open resonators also has circular concentric electrodes.

Abstract: A laser discharge tube for preventing the flow out of an electrode material, deterioration of electrodes, and the like, caused by corona discharge, as well as for increasing power to be supplied to the laser discharge tube by improving the heat-dissipating property and insulating property of the electrodes. The laser discharge tube is a tube of a dielectric material (e.g., silica glass) with a circular cross section and two electrode units are helically disposed on the outside periphery thereof at the same pitch. The electrode units include electrodes and dielectric layers, respectively, and each of the electrodes is formed by depositing silver as an electric conductor on the outside periphery of the tube wall by metalizing.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a laser apparatus capable of efficient oscillation with an excitation power source with comparatively low frequency, wherein discharge is obliquely generated within the rectangular section of a discharge space. There is also provided a laser apparatus with a pair of preliminary discharge excitation electrodes which can readily initiate discharge. There is further provided a laser apparatus capable of efficient oscillation with an excitation power source with comparatively low frequency, wherein provided is a pair of discharge excitation electrodes located in the major side direction of discharge space whose length is more than three times as long as that of minor side direction thereof. There is further provided a laser apparatus with a pair of discharge excitation electrodes whose dimension is smaller than that of a pair of dielectric plates, which apparatus can prevent undesirable discharge.

Abstract: Laser comprising at least one anode (1) and one cathode (2) for preionization and main discharge, the anode (1) and the cathode (2) having different standard potentials. The laser is distinguished by high reliability and long life. After several hours of operation, practically no material erosion at all is found at the electrodes.

Abstract: A laser energy excitation and delivery device which includes a coaxial system of tubes having an annular space therebetween. A lasing or pumping gas is provided in the annular space and subjected to radio frequency discharge which results in the generation of laser radiation. The resulting laser radiation is propagated through and delivered from a section of the device which includes an extension of the innermost tube or an extension of each of the tubes. One embodiment of the device includes a central passageway though which various materials, including a guide wire, can pass. The device has particular utility for medical and surgical procedures.

Abstract: A distributed feedback semiconductor laser comprises a semiconductor substrate, a waveguiding structure, provided on the semiconductor substrate, including a diffraction grating, an active layer and a top layer for ohmic contact, a first electrode provided on the top layer, a second electrode attached to the semiconductor substrate, and means for compensating spatial nonuniformity of a carrier density caused by spatial hole burning. The means changes an electrical resistance between the first electrode and the active layer, corresponding to a spatial distribution of photon density along the waveguiding structure.

Abstract: A pneumatically dithered ring laser gyroscope features providing an oscillatory motion directly to a segment of the excited gas which serves as the laser photon source. Alternately switching ionizing potential between two cathodes in appropriately designed cavities establishes desired oscillatory gas velocities to effect emitted frequencies within the gyro, thereby permitting the detection of rotational rates below the "lock-in" rate of the undithered gyro.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing x-ray and/or extreme ultraviolet (EUV) is described. A liquid edge 2 is electrically connected to a cathode 8 via a high voltage pulse power supply 10. Liquid edge 2 is set to be parallel to cathode 8. When high voltage pulse power supply 10 is turned on, a vacuum discharge will occur in a space between liquid edge 2 and cathode 8. The plasma will be confined into a high density and high temperature thin plasma column 4 in a space near liquid edge 2 by strong magnetic field induced by the huge discharge current. A population inversion in the confined plasma column will lead to a amplified simultaneous emission of x-ray and/or EUV 6 along the axis of plasma column 4. Moreover, a large power x-ray and/or EUV laser can be built by using multi-liquid edge-shape anodes placed in a straight line and operated in a traveling-wave mode.

Abstract: A pulsed transversely excited gas laser device includes a pair of main electrodes having main surfaces opposing each other across a main discharge gap and extending along the optical axis of the laser. A corona discharge preionizer for radiating ultraviolet radiation is substantially accommodated within a recess formed on the main surface of one of the main electrodes at an upstream side of the foot of the main discharge 3. The corona discharge preionizer is separated from the inner wall and bottom surface of the recess except at a surface portion thereof which is in contact with a projection extending sideways from a side wall of the recess next to the main discharge. The corona discharge generated over the preionizer radiates ultraviolet radiation to preionize the laser gas.

Abstract: At least two types of preionization systems are provided at a backside of one of a pair of primary electrodes which are disposed in a spaced opposed relation with respect to each other for causing a large area, spatially uniform main discharge in a laser gas therebetween. This improves efficiency and stability in laser oscillations under repeated operations at a high rate of tens to hundreds of shots per second. In addition, without using the laser output power, the preionization timing is controlled such that an optimal preionization timing is realized. The optimal preionization timing is determined on the basis of a minimum discharge starting voltage between the primary electrodes or a minimum required time from the time of applying a high voltage between said first and second primary electrodes until the time the main discharge commences.

Abstract: A sintered dense laser block constructed of ceramic metal composition manufactured through sintering, conventional machining and electro discharge machining. A ceramic metal powder and binder are combined and shaped into a laser block. The laser block is then sintered to permit electro-discharge machining. After detailed machining various subsequent firings will yield different dielectric properties for the laser block. Other laser gyro ceramic parts may be manufactured with the method of the invention such as mirror assemblies, cathodes and laser path length controllers. The electro-discharge machining permits the construction of complex ceramic shapes from a slurry of powdered ceramic metal and binder which has been extruded or shaped and then conventional machined. The resulting part is cheaper and easier to make and the electro-discharge machining provides a method of creating very complex shapes in the part.

Abstract: A transverse-type laser assembly is disclosed herein. This assembly defines a laser cavity containing a vapor or gaseous substance which lases when subjected to specific electrical discharge excitation between a pair of spaced-apart electrodes located within the cavity in order to produce a source of light. An arrangement located entirely outside the laser cavity is provided for inducing a voltage across the electrodes within the cavity sufficient to provide the necessary electrical discharge excitation to cause a vapor substance between the electrodes to lase.

Abstract: A transversely discharge-pumped gas laser has a discharge vessel, which encloses a laser gas and at least one pair of oppositely disposed elongated discharge electrodes which extend in a predetermined longitudinal direction and are separated by a discharge region, in which laser radiation is generated which propagates along a beam path. The beam path passes once or a plurality of times through the discharge region. The direction of the beam path of the sole pass or some or all of the multiple passes forms an angle different from zero with the longitudinal direction of the elctrodes. The angle or angles are chosen such that the quality, homogeneity of intensity profile, gain and output energy of a resulting output beam are well balanced.

Abstract: A stripline laser wherein the distance between a mirror and a stripline is minimized without modifying the characteristics of the laser is provided. The stripline laser prevents damaging of the mirror due to plasma discharge by providing at least two insulating strips arranged between oppositely polarized electrodes. Electrically conductive paths lie between the insulating strips. The insulating strips are arranged to guarantee a voltage division. The voltage division maintains the voltage of the electrically conductive path neighboring the mirror below a plasma-maintaining voltage.

Abstract: A pulse discharge laser is provided having a pair of electrodes disposed within a laser chamber pressurized with a high-pressure gas. A preionizer generator intermittently produces preionization energy to preionize the high pressure gas in the laser chamber. A pulse forming network intermittently supplies a ramping voltage to the pair of electrodes. When the high pressure gas in the laser chamber is not properly preionized by the preionization energy a damaging arc may occur and lasing will not occur by discharge of the ramping voltage on the electrodes. A passive electrode arc protector is provided connected across the pair of laser electrodes to discharge the ramping voltage across the electrodes when the high pressure gas is not properly preionized to protect the laser electrodes from a damaging arc between them.

Abstract: A structure for holding tubular cathode in a gas laser tube. The cathode is provided at one end with a slender projection inserted into a hollow member attached to one sealing flush member and caulked at a groove formed in the hollow member to hold the cathode. The cathode is also provided with spring plate members at the other end. A slender discharge tube is provided with an expanded portion serving as a discharge chamber, the expanded portion having a smaller diameter than the cathode and pressing against the spring plate members. The spring plate members securely hold the cathode within the gas laser tube without melting or cracking at the sealing flush members during welding.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 slab waveguide laser (10) is disclosed including a pair of spaced apart electrodes (36,38) having opposed light reflecting surfaces. The electrodes are dimensioned in a manner to guide light in a plane perpendicular to the reflecting surfaces. Light parallel to the reflecting surfaces is not constrained other than by the resonator mirrors (30,32). The resonator structure includes a negative branch unstable resonator in the nonwaveguide dimension. A stable resonator is used in the waveguide dimension but the mirror spacing from the end of the guide is based in part on the configuration of the unstable resonator. A unique support structure is disclosed for maintaining the electrodes in a spaced apart orientation without confining the discharge. Further refinements are disclosed for cooling the laser and for accommodating thermal expansion of the parts.

Abstract: A stripline laser includes a housing having two sides. An exit window is disposed at one of the sides for a laser beam traveling in a given direction. Two metal electrodes are mutually spaced apart defining a discharge gap therebetween. At least two mutually parallel bars having very low coefficients of temperature expansion retain two resonator mirrors at a precisely fixed mutual spacing. The electrodes are rigidly joined to the housing and to the bars in the given direction at only one location in a reference plane. The electrodes are secured at another location against motions relative to the housing running perpendicular to the discharge gap. A holder adjustably fastens an inclination of at least one of the mirrors relative to the discharge gap. The bars fix an axial position and an angular position of the at least one adjustable mirror relative to the reference plane. The reference plane is disposed at least approximately midway between the mirrors.

Abstract: Multiple discharge gas laser apparatus. A compact apparatus for simultaneously or individually generating a plurality of laser output beams in a selected pattern suitable for marking objects, for communications, or for remote chemical sensing or other remote sensing applications, among other uses, where all of the electrodes providing lasing gas excitation are located in a single gas volume and share a single output coupler is described. In this manner, all of the output beams are parallel in far field, to the extent variations in mode structure permit, without the necessity of undertaking detailed optical adjustments. Moreover, the focal plane of the output laser radiation is insensitive to significant positional variation of focusing optics utilized to increase the intensity thereof for marking purposes. Electrodes can be utilized for more than one discharge; that is, the direction of the discharge can be selected to involve any adjacent electrode having opposite charge polarity.