Abstract: There are disclosed a method and apparatus for producing laser pulses at two wavelengths alternately by switching the oscillations of a distributed feedback semiconductor laser of the continuous grating type back and forth across the stop band. The necessary shaping of the gain or index of refraction characteristic along the path of the oscillations is accomplished in part by two top electrodes, one of which is longer than the other along that path, and by varying the current supplied to at least one of those electrodes in the appropriate sense. Applications for optical communication and for optical logic are disclosed, the preferred embodiment being a transmitter for an optical communication system with minimal chirp of the optical pulses, in which pulses at one of the wavelengths are modulated at a bit rate exceeding 1 Gigabit by direct-modulation control of the switching of the laser, and the pulses at the other of the two wavelengths are discarded.

Abstract: An electrode for a transverse gas flow laser has a simplified profile which facilitates the fabrication and subsequent alignment of the electrodes within a laser cavity. Each electrode is essentially comprised of an upper horizontally planar surface having a surrounding radiused edge of a given radius of curvature which is terminated by a surrounding vertical side wall. The termination of the radiused edge by the side wall acts to reduce the total electrode width, resulting in a reduction in required laser package size. A bottom surface of the electrode may be provided with a mounting means, such as a plurality of tapped openings for bolting the electrode to an inner surface of the laser package.

Abstract: Laser apparatus includes a ceramic tube within which is contained a gas and a cylindrical cathode having a plurality of holes therethrough. An anode is located along the axis of the tube. During operation of the apparatus, a large potential difference is applied between the anode and cathode, causing a plurality of electron beams to be formed extensive of the holes. Vapor is emitted from the electron bombarded cylindrical rod and becomes excited, and laser action occurs.

Abstract: A high-speed axial-flow gas laser generator has a plurality of anodes radially provided at the inlet section of the laser tube, and a ring-shaped cathode is provided on the gas discharge section side of the laser tube. On the upstream side from the anodes, viewed from the laser gas flow in the laser tube, a nozzle is provided which imparts a spiral rotary motion to the gas flow in the laser tube.

Abstract: A hollow-cathode type metal ion laser for producing white light includes a gas-filled tubular envelope and a hollow cathode located within the tubular enelope. The hollow cathode has holes formed in a side wall portion thereof and a bore therein. The hollow-cathode type metal ion laser preferably includes a plurality of metal-containing reservoirs for diffusing vapor of the metal into the bore through the holes. Each of the metal-containing reservoirs forms a portion of the tubular envelope and is preferably disposed next to one of the holes. Further, each of the metal-containing reservoirs preferably extends downwardly. Main anodes one near each of the holes, are preferably disposed one within each of the metal-containing reservoirs. The tubular envelope preferably includes subanodes disposed on within each end portion of the tubular envelope to confine the metal vapor within the bore.

Abstract: A ring laser angular rate sensor construction utilizes an anode-cathode configuration which generates a glow discharge region in the propagation path of the laser beams. The anode-cathode construction provides a hollow cathode and effect for a ring laser. Specifically the ring laser block incorporates a tubular cavity which forms in part a cathode. A slot is provided into the block to provide an electrically insulated anode to produce the hollow cathode effect and the generation of counter-propagating laser beams.

Abstract: In a gas ion laser of the type having a serial array of coaxially aligned axially spaced floating electrodes contained within an evacuable dielectric envelope for exciting a d.c. plasma laser pumping discharge, the electrodes and gas fill are cooled by a plurality of axially directed coolant tubes within the gas-filled envelope. The electrodes have a spherically shaped funnel portion immediately surrounding the laser beam and plasma discharge path for focusing secondary electrons back into the beam path for increasing conversion efficiency. The spherically shaped surfaces are electroplated with a tungsten-cobalt alloy to decrease sputter erosion.

Abstract: A gas discharge structure for an R.F. discharge excited gas laser comprising an R.F. electrode (1), a ground electrode (2) and a metal coolant carrying pipe (4) carried bie said R.F. electrode. The pipe (4) is connected at each end to coolant source or drain at ground potential. The coolant carrying pipe (4) is inductively decoupled at each end from ground potential and has a wall thickness many times greater than the "R.F. skin depth" at the R.F. frequency of operation.

Abstract: A laser with a central axis has an outer envelope and a bore tube mounted within the envelope and coaxially along the central axis with a free end of the bore tube being spaced axially from an end of the envelope. A two-piece cathode assembly which is used in the laser includes a cylindrical cathode tube having opposite open ends and adapted to be positioned within the outer envelope in radially inward spaced relation thereto and adjacent the one end thereof. Also, the assembly includes a cathode end cap having a body portion and an outer peripheral rim portion surrounding and formed integrally on the body portion. The end cap at its outer peripheral rim portion mounts the cathode tube at one end thereof by being press-fitted therein.

Abstract: The gas laser with high-frequency excitation exhibits a laser tube (1), to which at least one pair of electrodes (5, 6) for the high-frequency excitation is externally fitted, and at least one inlet connection (2) and one outlet connection (3) for the gas. In order to permit a shorter distance between the pair of electrodes (5, 6) and the outlet connection (3), it is provided that a disc (12) having a high dielectric constant is disposed on the tube (1) between the pair of electrodes (5, 6) and the outlet connection (3), which disc extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube.

Abstract: A high power gas laser and, in particular, a high power continuous wave gas laser. The discharge chamber of the laser has a plurality of first electrodes. The electrodes of opposite polarity take the form of a coil. The first electrodes take the form of a plurality of metal pins protruding from the wall of the discharge chamber. Gas is introduced into the discharge chamber tangentially which circulates with a vortex type motion from the upstream instroduction point to the exit chamber where it is split and exits by a conical flow divider. A portion of the gas travels from the flow divider upstream due to the back pressure of the flow divider resulting in improved vortex flow in the discharge chamber and exits at the upstream end. The discharge chamber of the laser may assume a conical configuration.

Abstract: All-metal, RF-excited gas lasers employing organic or inorganic insulating material including polyimide and aluminum oxide to provide a structurally homogeneous laser capable of low-cost fabrication and broad temperature ranges suitable for military and commercial applications. A particularly novel embodiment employs an extruded housing and electrodes and relies almost solely upon gas conduction and gas convection cooling, obviating compression heat sinking. The latter embodiment can permit gas flow between the laser cavity and tube gas chambers through elongated gaps or spaces at the corners of the cavity. Insulators support the electrodes in a few places and facilitate simple, low-cost assembly. The latter geometry is also well adapted for use in folded configurations featuring multiple lasing sections and a common discharge electrode.

Abstract: A cold cathode for generating an abnormal glow discharge electron beam within a vacuum chamber is mounted to a wall of the vacuum chamber such that only the emitting front face of the cold cathode, itself electrically insulated from the vacuum chamber wall by a narrow gap therebetween, is located inside the vacuum chamber, while the remainder of the cold cathode is located outside the vacuum chamber.

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 high-frequency-discharge excited gas laser is provided, which is adapted to excite a laser gas by applying of a high frequency voltage to electrodes. In order to increase the output capacity of the high-frequency-discharge excited gas laser without sacrificing its virtues of small size, high efficiency and good beam mode, the laser, in its one aspect, has its metallic electrode (1) covered with a dielectric layer (2), with the dielectric layer being detached from the electrode. In another aspect, a pair of metallic films are laid positions diametrically opposite to each other on the outer surface of a laser tube formed of a dielectric pipe.

Abstract: A laser resonator system including an optical resonator whose side wall has an orifice through which gas may enter the resonator's interior, and may subsequently flow along the resonator's longitudinal axis. An elongated electrode (which preferably is an anode) is positioned at the orifice in electrical communication with the entering gas so that the projection of the electrode's tip on the plane of the orifice does not coincide with the center of the orifice. In a preferred embodiment, the electrode's longitudinal axis is aligned generally perpendicular to the plane of the orifice. In another preferred embodiment, two such electrode-orifice pairs are provided and are separated by a small distance along the resonator's axis. The orifice positions are preferably on opposite sides of the resonator, so that they are separated by an azimuthal angle substantially equal to 180.degree. with respect to the resonator tube's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A longitudinal flow CO.sub.2 laser with an output of at least several hundred Watts has a rectilinear tube device for dielectric material containing CO.sub.2 and high frequency electrodes in a plurality of pairs arranged diametrically opposed to each other. Each pair of opposed high frequency electrodes has a central plane offset at an angle relative to the central plane of an adjacent pair of high frequency electrodes. The angle is approximately 360 degrees divided by the number of pairs of high frequency electrodes. The high frequency electrodes contact the rectilinear tube device over a significant lateral distance.

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 comprises a discharge channel which is defined by two electrodes located on a dielectric layer spaced from one another. The dielectric layer forms a carrier which has a further electrode on the opposite side thereof. A laser head is connected to one end of this structure and includes a laser active gas encompassing a dielectric plate optically coupled to the discharge channel. The first of the two electrodes extends into the laser head and the last-mentioned electrode wraps around the end of the dielectric plate to the plane of the plane of the first electrode and to a point spaced therefrom to form a gap which is a surface discharge gap. The other end of the structure is connected to a high-voltage pulse generator including a switch operable to connect the two electrodes and generate a rapidly rising voltage pulse. The first of the two electrodes and the further electrode are connected to a reference potential by way of respective inductances.

Abstract: A system for the thermal control of optical devices includes an optical device having at least one coating of an electrically conductive material formed on a surface in a heat conducting relationship with the material and connected to a controllable current source which passes varying amounts of electrical current through the layer to vary the amount of thermal energy introduced into the device to control its optical response characteristics. The electrically conductive layer or layers can be optically active, that is, function to affect the light energy transmitted into or through the device as well as acting as an electrically conductive thermal element.

Abstract: An optical resonator comprising a substantially annular reflector disposed about and generally facing a central axis and comprising at least one annular reflecting surface, a central rotationally symmetric reflector positioned along said central axis and comprising at least one central reflecting surface, and a rotationally symmetric power extraction cavity located between the annular reflector and the central reflector.

Abstract: A multiple cavity waveguide laser is formed of a pair of face to face contiguous dielectric blocks 70, 72, in the facing surfaces of which are formed pairs of mating waveguide grooves 78, 80, 82, 84, having an electrode partition 92 sealed to and between the adjacent mating blocks to separate one pair of waveguide cavities from another, thereby forming four closely spaced waveguide cavities. In another embodiment, the partition 26 between the two dielectric blocks 10, 12 is thin conductive material, and dielectric partitions 36, 38 are provided between cavities of each pair in a single dielectric block. The internal surfaces 40, 42, 44, 46 of each cavity opposite the common electrode 26 are plated with an electrically conductive material, and suitable electrical connections 56, 58, 18 are made from the internal electrodes to the exterior of the blocks.

Abstract: A gas laser is provided in which a replaceable module, comprising a plasma chamber and the associated high voltage components and circuitry, can be quickly and easily replaced by relatively unskilled personnel without any need for optical realignment. Each high voltage electrode of the plasma chamber includes a connector plate that extends through the envelope and engages a support plate of the module containing the high voltage pulse circuitry. These support plates are precisely positioned with respect to two resonator mirrors mounted permanently on a base structure, while the connector plates are precisely positioned with respect to the electrodes and windows of the plasma chamber. The positioning of the connector plates with respect to the electrodes, the windows and the optical axis is identical for each of the replaceable modules.

Abstract: A gas laser which has transverse high frequency exitation and which is improved in efficiency and in power density by the use of a coupling structure which assures a roughly positional independent electrical field strength for each neutral particle density in the full discharge space and this is accomplished with capacitance electrodes (2) between which the discharge space of a laser are arranged in a cavity resonator and wherein the mutual spacings between the capacitive electrodes (2) are positionally dependent and are selected such that they assure that an electrical field strength proportional to the neutral particle density occurs.

Abstract: A novel design for an RF pumped gas laser is provided by spiralling an RF in lead transmission line around a ceramic gas container. The pitch of the spiral and spacing between the leads of the transmission line are chosen to produce currents parallel to the axis of the spiral to provide more efficient energy transfer modes between the pump and the lasing gas.

Abstract: In laser apparatus, an amplification section of a laser apparatus, including a cavity bounded by first and second opposing surfaces, closely spaced relative to the dimensions of the surfaces, electrodes for generating an electric field within the cavity and magnetic devices for creating a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces, with provision for shaping the electric field so that the electric field is relatively narrow in the dimension parallel to the magnetic field compared to the dimension perpendicular to both the magnetic field vector and the electric field vector established between electrodes within the cavity. The electrodes extend over a distance greater than the spacing between electrodes. An electrical discharge is established with the magnetic field exerting a force on the discharge to move the discharge parallel to the surfaces with the predetermined magnetic field strength causing the discharge to become uniform and stable.

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

Abstract: The turn-on delay of a gas laser is significantly reduced by inducing a transient electric field of sufficient intensity to induce ionization in a localized region of the laser adjacent to the anode. This is accomplished by means of a coupler which couples the voltage applied to the cathode to a region of the laser immediately adjacent to the anode electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the deposition of uniform high-energy in a high pressure gaseous medium using an electrical discharge which is suitable for providing a population inversion therein with the consequent support of laser oscillation or amplification. The electric discharge is achieved without the use of a fast high-voltage, high current switch which must carry the entire discharge current, and requires lower discharge voltages than are normally used for such discharges. The high-energy, high-voltage discharge is initiated and controlled by a low-energy, high-voltage discharge which is in turn initiated and controlled by a yet lower energy preionization pulse which may derive from an electrical discharge or ionizing radiation. The simplicity of the present design permits the construction of rugged, reliable and inexpensive high-power gas lasers.

Abstract: A silent discharge type laser device which comprises a detector for detecting the amount of electric charges passed between electrodes and controlling means for controlling an output current or voltage of a power supply so that a charge amount detected by the detector is equal to a target level, thereby keeping the passage charge amount always constant.

Abstract: An ion laser is described having an anode construction which has no special configuration specifically designed to accommodate differential thermal expansion between it and a ceramic tube. The anode includes a radially thick first portion for good thermal conductivity and a thin-walled sleeve integral therewith extending beyond the tube to provide an exterior surface for electrical connection. The radially thick first portion provides desired thermal conductivity in the radial direction while the thin-walled sleeve acts to resist axial thermal conductivity. The anode is brazed to the interior cylindrical surface of a ceramic cylinder providing part of the tube, with a portion of its exterior surface extending beyond the cylindrical portion to be exposed externally for electrical connection. A ceramic end sleeve is brazed within the interior of the thin-walled portion of the anode to structurally support the same.

Abstract: In a gas laser device according to this invention, a gas inlet having an electrode protrudes within each of expanded portions protruding on the side, where the gas inlet is disposed, of the principal portion of the discharge tube. Gas medium ejected from the gas inlet in the principal portion of a discharge tube collides with the inner surface of the principal portion of a discharge tube, while forming a flame extending along the ejected gas medium from the electrode and is divided into two partial flows. One of them flows along the wall of the expanded portion; collides with the gas inlet; and is divided further into two partial flows. Therefore it does not collide with the gas medium within the gas inlet. Consequently the gas medium and the flame fluctuate hardly and are stabilized. In this way it is possible to stabilize the laser output.

Abstract: In the present invention, a getter assembly is formed by a housing containing a cavity in which the passageway into the cavity is covered by an end cover which is permeable to selected gases. Internal to the cavity formed by the housing is an activated getter material for eliminating selected gas contaminants within the cavity.

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: The laser tube (14) of a gas laser is arranged in an electrically grounded metallic housing (11) which forms the one electrode of a capacitor. The second electrode (41) of the capacitor is arranged, together with a helically wound wire (53) for the formation of an inductance, in the annular space between the laser tube and the housing. The capacitance and the inductance form an LC-circuit for adapting the impedance of the laser to that of a high-frequency generator. To adjust capacitance, the distance between the two capacitor electrodes (11 and 41) can be adjusted via a first setting device (43 to 45) and the length of the coil formed by the helical wire (53) can be adjusted to set the inductance via a second setting device (56 to 58).

Abstract: A laser oscillating apparatus includes a laser housing, means for generating a prescribed gas flow within the housing, a discharge electrodes assembly for carrying out predetermined discharge within the gas flow, and an optical oscillating apparatus for resonating the ray of radiation generated in the discharge. The discharge electrodes assembly includes an insulated substrate, a plurality of pin-shaped electrodes planted on the substrate a ballast capacitor arranged on the rear side of the substrate and connected to the pin-shaped electrodes end and a cooling tube arranged adjacent to the capacitor and the insulated substrate. At least the ballast capacitor and the cooling tube are molded on the rear side of the substrate.

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

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

Abstract: A gas laser construction includes a second anode in the vicinity of the cathode, so that current can be directed through the second anode when the laser is at low current levels, thereby assuring an adequate supply of electrons around the cathode to avoid flicker in the laser output. Current flow can be controlled between the main anode at the anode end and this second anode, so that the second anode is used only when and to the extent needed. In this way, the power output of the gas laser is more dependably controlled by controlling the current level, even at low current levels, without output flicker which would ordinarily occur.

Abstract: The generator comprises an optical cavity (3, 4) resonating according to an axis (2) and two annular electrodes (5, 6) disposed along said axis, one of said electrodes (5) being provided with gas injection channels (9, 10) having injection axes (11, 12) directed toward the other electrode (6) and inclined at an angle of 45.degree. with respect to the axis (2) of the resonator, the number and the cross-section of said channels (9, 10 . . . ) being selected to enable the laser gas to be injected at supersonic speed. The operating method consists in maintaining a laser gas pressure upstream from the injection channels (9, 10) which is at least 50% greater than the downstream pressure.

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 discharge electrode for a gas discharge device has pin-shaped electrodes which are effectively cooled in the gas flow and which promote a stable glow-discharge. The pin-shaped electrodes are made from a wire member which is curled at its end. An extension portion of the electrodes extends a predetermined length from the curled end, and is bent in an approximately L-shape to form a post position. The pin-shaped electrode is disposed in the gas flow so that the extension portion is orthogonal to the gas flow.

Abstract: According to the invention, the metal vapor laser tube comprises a cylindrical plasma tube (1), which is located inside a leak-proof container (2) and which is surrounded by a thermal insulating material, an electrode (6) at each end of the plasma tube, and a cylindrical return conductor (9) coaxial to the plasma tube (1) which is connected with one of the electrodes, and characterized in that the return conductor (9) has a radius R of about: ##EQU1## where: e=exponential function,r=radius of the plasma tube, expressed in centimeters,dE/dV=energy density of the plasma, expressed in millijoules per cubic centimeter,ro=specific resistance of the plasma, expressed in Ohms.times.centimeter,U=electrical field, expressed in volts per centimeter.

Abstract: A far-infrared laser structure is provided wherein a uniform longitudinal ectric field mode is provided for a radio frequency pump by means of a set of fully or near-fully circular ring shaped electrodes.

Abstract: To improve the power transfer of a glow discharge between a cathode (3) and an anode (4) in a glow discharge space (2), through which a laser-active is being passed (5) at high speed, the cathode is constructed to have a rotating surface, projecting through slits (8) of the walls (1) defining the discharge space into the discharge space, the tangential or surface speed of the cathode (3) being at least approximately equal to the flow speed of the gas, so that the gas will flow along the cathode in essentially laminar, linear flow, thereby avoiding turbulence at the surface and instabilities in the glow discharge.

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