Abstract: A compact excimer laser, including a housing structure having a plurality of walls forming an internal laser cavity. A gas is located within the laser cavity and with the gas capable of lasing action. A pair of spaced electrodes are located within the laser cavity and form an electrical discharge area between the electrodes for stimulating gas within the discharge area to lasing action in accordance with an electrical discharge between the electrodes. One of the pair of electrodes is located along a central position within the cavity and is grounded to the housing structure. The other of the pair of electrodes is located adjacent to but spaced from one of the walls of the housing structure and with the other electrode mounted on a main insulator member. The main insulator member is formed of ceramic material and is located intermediate to the one wall of the housing and the other electrode but is spaced from the one wall of the housing to have the main insulator member floating relative the housing structure.

Abstract: A compact excimer laser, including a housing structure having a plurality of walls forming an internal laser cavity. A gas is located within the laser cavity and with the gas capable of lasing action. A pair of spaced electrodes are located within the laser cavity and form an electrical discharge area between the electrodes for stimulating gas within the discharge area to lasing action in accordance with an electrical discharge between the electrodes. One of the pair of electrodes is located along a central position within the cavity and is grounded to the housing structure. The other of the pair of electrodes is located adjacent to but spaced from one of the walls of the housing structure and with the other electrode mounted on a main insulator member.

Abstract: A compact excimer laser, including a housing structure having a plurality of walls forming an internal laser cavity. A gas is located within the laser cavity and with the gas capable of lasing action. A pair of spaced electrodes are located within the laser cavity and form an electrical discharge area between the electrodes for stimulating gas within the discharge area to lasing action in accordance with an electrical discharge between the electrodes. One of the pair of electrodes is located along a central position within the cavity and is grounded to the housing structure. The other of the pair of electrodes is located adjacent to but spaced from one of the walls of the housing structure and with the other electrode mounted on a main insulator member.

Abstract: Gas laser, particularly carbon dioxide laser, with a component-free gas dharge chamber between high voltage electrodes, with a beam of two resonator end mirrors multiply folded between facing reflectors and with openings of the outwardly sealed gas discharge chamber permitting the inflow and outflow of gas. A gas laser with the aforementioned features is so constructed for the purpose of increasing its efficiency, that there is a continuous gas flow in the gas discharge chamber and that the gas flow direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the component-free gas discharge chamber located between the reflectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas laser having a discharge tube, through which the gas flows in an aixal direction and to which high-frequency electrodes are fitted externally, and having a high-frequency generator. In order to obtain a simpler construction and the smallest possible high-frequency losses, it is provided that the power output stage (12) of the high-frequency generator is disposed in the housing (1) of the laser resonator (2, 7, 8) and is directly connected to the electrodes (9, 10) via impedance adaptation elements (11).

Abstract: A high power fast switch for generating pulses of current to a load from a high voltage power source. A laser beam illuminates a cathode which simulates the emission of pulses of electrons which illuminate a diamond target. The pulses of electrons cause the diamond target to become conductive permitting high power pulses of electric current to pass through the diamond target from a high voltage source to a load. In a preferred embodiment a Klystron buncher compresses the electron pulses onto the diamond target.

Abstract: A ring laser gyro including two partial gas discharge paths in which by an electrode arrangement an opposite gas discharge is ignited. Outside of the discharge path between the electrodes (24,26) connected to the ignition voltage ion traps (40,42) are provided in order to prevent a gas discharge between those electrodes (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An ignitor for a preionizing means of an excimer laser has an electrically conductive core which projects into the gas space of the laser and which is surrounded by a jacket of a fluoroplastic. The jacket is brought into sealing engagement with the wall of the laser gas space by means of a pressure sleeve via mating conical surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing coherent radiation ranging from X-rays to the far ultraviolet (i.e., 1 Kev to 10 eV) utilizing the Compton scattering effect. A photon beam from a laser is scattered on a high energy electron bunch from a pulse power linac. The short wavelength radiation produced by such scattering has sufficient intensity and spatial coherence for use in high resolution applications such as microscopy.

Abstract: A device to provide high current, low emittance electron beams with a long life cathode. The device consists of an undulator 7 which provides a source of ultraviolet light 15 for an ultraviolet photocathode 8. The undulator 7 needs a supply of electrons to produce the ultraviolet light which it can get by diverting a portion of a beam from a linear accelerator 3 before E.sub.3 or after E.sub.4 the electron beam traverses a free electron laser 5. The device is self-maintaining once a source of electrons is developed but needs a start-up source of electrons. The start up source can be provided by a pulsed cathode electron gun 1 which has to be on for a short period of time until the ultraviolet photocathode 8 is operated.

Abstract: A compact excimer laser, including a housing structure having a plurality of walls forming an internal laser cavity. A gas is located within the laser cavity and with the gas capable of lasing action. A pair of spaced electrodes are located within the laser cavity and form an electrical discharge area between the electrodes for stimulating gas within the discharge area to lasing action in accordance with an electrical discharge between the electrodes. One of the pair of electrodes is located along a central position within the cavity and is grounded to the housing structure. The other of the pair of electrodes is located adjacent to but spaced from one of the walls of the housing structure and with the other electrode mounted on a main insulator member.

Abstract: In a gas laser, the surface of either or both of discharge electrodes are formed from titanium oxide which provides fine sputtering proof. The discharge electrodes are formed from titanium as a base material having an oxidized surface. Alternatively, the discharge electrodes are formed from molybdenum as a base material with titanium coated and the surfaces are oxidized. In the gas laser of the direct current discharge type, the cathode is formed as described above. Both of cathode and anode are formed as described above in the gas laser of the alternate current discharge type.

Abstract: In a gas laser, an anode of discharge electrodes is formed from stainless steel. Alternatively, the anode is formed from a metallic base material and chromium coating is applied on the surface of the metallic base material. A cathode is formed from titanium as a base material and the surface thereof is oxidized. Alternatively, the cathode is formed from molybdenum as a base material and titanium coating is applied on the surface of the molybdenum base material. The surface of the cathode is oxidized.

Abstract: In order to so improve a microwave-pumped, high-pressure, gas-discharge laser, in particular, excimer laser, with an optical resonator, with a resonator gas volume arranged therein and extending along an optical axis thereof, with a microwave coupling structure enclosing the resonator gas volume within it and with a microwave generator connected to the microwave coupling structure, that a wall breakdown is substantially suppressed, it is proposed that a central area with an electric field intensity lying above a threshold value for a high-pressure gas discharge be disposed within the resonator gas volume in a transverse direction to the optical axis and be adjoined on both sides thereof by outer areas with a field intensity lying below the threshold value for the high-pressure gas discharge.

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: A preionization means for a gas-discharge laser, such as an excimer laser, comprises a stirrup member 26 and a preionization strip 20 secured thereto. To obtain the longest possible life of the laser with economical material use the preionization strip 20 is made from a different material from the stirrup member 26.

Abstract: The anode end of a gas laser is constructed so as to include an electrically and thermally insulating barrier between the Brewster window and the anode end of the tube bore thereby permitting cooler operating temperatures at the Brewster window and confinement of the electric discharge within the anode itself.

Abstract: Laser apparatus includes a gas filled tube and is arranged to act as a switch to trigger, within the tube itself, a discharge. The power dissipated in the discharge is applied to material which forms, or is to form, a laser amplifying medium, to provide pumping power. Thus, no external switch, such as a thyratron, is required, unlike conventional laser arrangements.

Abstract: A hollow metal member which holds a mirror of an optical resonator in a gas laser tube is electrically and mechanically connected with a hollow cathode by a spring. The spring is positioned either outside or on the inner surface of the hollow metal member and elastically forces one end of the cathode against the inner wall of the hollow metal member.

Abstract: A metal vapor laser intended to be excited by an electrical discharge pulsed through a metal vapor, consisting of a tubular chamber terminated at each end by a terminating flange, the terminating flange (1) having formed integrally with it a cold cathode structure having associated with it a multiplicity of electron generating devices (10, 11, 12) for non-thermionic generation of electrons. The electron generating devices (10, 11, 12) consist preferably of a series of annular grooves (10) formed in the surface of a bore of the terminating flange (1) and a circular groove or grooves (11) coaxial with the axis of the laser and cut in to a face of the terminating flange (1) facing directly into the discharge volume (8). Additionally, to increase carrying capability and facility for easily striking the discharge there is provide a ring of refractory metal pins (12) fixed into that surface of the terminating flange (1).

Abstract: A laser beam processing apparatus includes a body providing a generally cylindrical bounding structure for a cavity. A window allows admission of an incident light beam into the cavity and emission of a laser beam from the cavity. A plurality of reflectors are arranged to sequentially reflect the light beam and/or light generated thereby along a light path which is generally polygonal as viewed from an end of the cavity. Laser material is disposed in the light path whereby the light generated by the light beam includes light which is derived by stimulated emission from the laser material.

Abstract: The generation of soft x-ray and/or extreme untraviolet laser radiation is accomplished in a capillary plasma generated by a fast discharge. The method yields laser action at short wavelengths in a discharge created plasma having a large length-to-diameter ratio.

Abstract: A gas laser arrangement includes a discharge tube between a cathode and an anode, the discharge tube including a central discharge channel and at least one gas return channel. A blocking electrode is provided at the openings of the gas return channels at least in the cathode space and possibly also in the anode space, the blocking electrode being connected to a blocking voltage to avoid misfirings of the laser through the gas return channels.

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: Disclosed is a ceramic cathode for a ring laser gyro comprising a ceramic substantially composed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, and boron nitride.

Abstract: There is provided a gas discharge laser with a purality of elongated parallel electrodes defining in space a honeycomb structure in the form of a plurality of immaginary triangular or square structures, where in the case of the triangular arrangement each of the three parallel electrodes of a given triangle is supplied with DC power with three potentials phase shifted by 1, 120 and 240 degrees; in the case of square electrode arrangements, each of the four electrodes of a given square being supplied with four potentials, phase shifted by 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees, to the four corners of such adjacent electrodes. At one end of the electrode pattern there is provided a feedback mirror, at the other end an output coupler.

Abstract: A laser oscillator device produces an electric discharge between confronting double helical electrodes for laser pumping. The electrodes (9b, 9b) are helically wound an integral number of turns, and start being helically wound at points which are .pi./n spaced about the axis of the discharge tube segments (1 ). This arrangement achieves a more completely circular mode and a fundamental mode.

Abstract: A long life cathode for laser generators consisting of a monolithic body of an agglomeration of oxidized metallic particles of beryllium or aluminum.

Abstract: An RF transformer employs at least three elongated conductive elements in generally parallel spaced relationship. At least a first inductive element is connected between a pair of the conductive elements to provide a desired field distribution. A diagnostic technique for determining the frequency shift of the transformer employs a perturbing object which is selectively longitudinally positioned within the transformer. The transformer has particular utility as an RF excited gas laser.

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: The invention provides a gas-discharge laser comprising an array of pre-ionizing electrodes (PIP) operating by a sliding-spark discharge; there being an array provided on either side of each of the main electrodes (ME1, ME2) of the laser.

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: The performance of a carbon monoxide laser is improved by coating the walls of the surface facing the discharge with a precious metal chosen from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium and iridium. The precious metal coating is configured into segments which do not interfere with the electrical discharge.

Abstract: A transversely RF excited gas laser with an internally folded resonator includes an elongated chamber of cross-sectional dimensions suitable for confining a laser gas discharge, a plurality of reflectors and a laser gas. The reflectors form a stable folded laser resonator cavity of a compact geometry in order to efficiently extract laser power from the laser resonator cavity. There are at least two of the reflectors and at least one of the plurality of reflectors is concave. The laser gas is disposed in the folded resonator cavity which reflect and guide light energy from the laser gas discharge within the elongated chamber. The transversely RF excited gas laser with an internally folded resonator also includes a pair of electrodes and a pair of cooling electrodes. The electrodes are transversely disposed on the elongated chamber and excite the laser gas. The cooling electrodes are transversely disposed on the elongated chamber and electrically coupled to ground.

Abstract: Integrated laser head apparatus is disclosed for producing high energy pulses in pulsed gas lasers. The present invention provides high energy pulses over short time durations suitable for laser rangefinder systems due to an improvement in the arrangement of energy storage capacitors (22, 24) which keeps circuit inductance to a minimum. The pair of nested, ceramic capacitors (22, 24) are substantially cylindrical and are coupled through thin conductive layers (23). The capacitors are charged by a spark gap trigger (14), an inductor (18), and a charging resistor (52). The capacitors (22, 24) enclose a pressure vessel (28) which further encloses a laser resonator (12) including a laser output coupler mirror (42), totally reflective mirror (44), discharge electrodes (32, 34) and a central chamber (30) which contains a pressurized gaseous phase laser medium. The high voltage discharge electrode (32) is disposed coaxially with the surrounding capacitors (22, 24).

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: An active gas based on CO.sub.2 penetrates under pressure into a discharge chamber (20) via injection orifices (10) formed through the upstream face of said chamber. These orifices leave considerable solid portions (22) about themselves in said face such that the gas forms jets which diverge up to an outlet grid (12) constituting a common anode. Cathodes (8) are individually powered by a block (14) and give rise to discharges which are widened on the edges of said jets by large-amplitude gas recirculation currents, thereby increasing the electrical power injected. The invention is particularly applicable to power lasers.

Abstract: A gas laser includes a laser cavity, mirror means defining an optical path in the cavity, electrodes defining an electric discharge path in the cavity, the electrodes including at least one anode member having a passage therethrough which at one end opens into the cavity, and gas supply means for injecting gas into the cavity through the passage, wherein the wall of the passage at said one end and the exterior of the anode member around the end of said passage is electrically insulated and an electrically conducting anode surface defining the root of the discharge is provided inwardly of the perimeter of the open end of the passage.

Abstract: A laser discharge tube has a substantially-rectangular discharge cross-section to achieve a high power of laser output with a shorter discharge tube length.

Abstract: An electrode for pulsed gas lasers consisting substantially of tungsten and copper has a long life. With such an electrode contaminations of the laser gas and of the windows are largely obviated, even in long-time operation. An electrode suitable also for fluoride-containing laser gases consists essentially of an alloy containing copper, aluminium and nickel.

Abstract: A gas laser tube comprises an elongated insulative envelope for containing a laser active medium therein, and an anode electrode and a cathode electrode provided in the elongated envelope for an electric discharge therebetween within the envelope. The anode electrode is formed of a metallic disc having an outer surface in ceaseless contact with an inner surface of the envelope. Further, the metallic disc having at least one slot formed in the outer surface thereof to extend between a pair of opposite end surfaces of the metallic disc.

Abstract: A gap switch includes an insulated vessel with hydrogen gas therein. A pair of directly-opposed electrodes cover two open end portions of the vessel. The two electrodes protrude into the interior of the vessel. A trigger pin with insulating material around it is within one of the electrodes and receives a pulsed voltage which thereby induces a discharge between the electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a long life cathode for laser generators consisting of a cathode body having an electron emitting surface in which lasing gas molecules are embedded therein.

Abstract: A laser system having a high power output and a large volume gaseous discharge has a plurality of electrodes at each end of a channel to establish a plurality of discharges and a housing arranged to provide a continuous recirculating lasing gas flow through the channel. An ejector connected to a main circulating pump is fixed to discharge into the recirculating lasing gas flow adjacent the channel to mix lasing gas streams and cause diffusion of the gas and thereby provide a uniform plasma flow in the channel. In one embodiment, magnets are arranged to surround the channel to eliminate thermal instabilities, if they arise, and to further homogenize the lasing gas streams and insure their uniformity.

Abstract: An optical resonator for a laser includes an optical element mounted for rotation about two mutually transverse axes and controllable by a computer for automatically adjusting the orientation of the optical element.

Abstract: A laser comprising an RF matching unit having an RF power input and an RF power output, an optical cavity including electrode apparatus extending along the optical cavity, receiving the RF power output and defining a discharge gap having a gaseous lasing medium disposed therein, the RF power output being operative to produce a population inversion in the gaseous lasing medium, and an arrangement for providing direct fluid cooling contact with the electrode apparatus generally along its entire extent.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 gas laser device comprises a plurality of divided cathode electrodes disposed in a linear row extending transversely across a high-speed flow of a gas containing CO.sub.2, and parts of the cathode electrodes producing negative glow are disposed at the same height as anodes at a downstream position. Additionally, a device for controlling the distribution of gas flow velocity, which functions doubly as means for creating turbulent flow, and a preliminary discharge electrode are disposed on the upstream side of the cathode electrodes, the former being set at a height position corresponding substantially to that of the middle portions of the cathode electrodes.

Abstract: Triaxial ring laser gyroscopes have three interconnecting cavities which provide many paths along which discharge can be initiated, and consequently it has been found that it is difficult to achieve the correct discharge. It is therefore proposed to align the desired discharge paths with the electrostatic fields which exist due to the voltage differences between the cathode and each one of the six anodes to enhance the initiation of the correct discharge.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an electron beam sheet includes a cathode member having a slot in a front surface thereof, a grid electrode and the anode of a thyratron. When it is desired to trigger the thyratron into conduction, a suitably large potential difference is applied between the cathode member and the grid, resulting in an electron beam sheet being produced extensive of a slot formed in the front surface of the cathode member. This produces ionisation and a main discharge current is established between the main anode and cathode of the thyratron.

Abstract: Several gas-tight enclosures share a common optical cavity. The enclosures may be filled with neat gases or mixtures of gasses. The same gas or mixture, at the same or a different pressure, may occur in more than one enclosure. The gas or gasses in the various enclosures may be pulsed to lase in any desired sequence, simultaneously, or in any combination.