Method and apparatus for operating a CO.sub.2 gas laser
First Claim
1. A gas laser comprising:
- (a) a closed metal housing defining at least a first chamber with opposing endfaces substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing and containing a gaseous laser medium;
(b) means for producing an electrical discharge in said gaseous medium in said first chamber;
(c) a voltage supply connected to said means for producing a discharge;
(d) means for producing resonation in said first chamber along said longitudinal axis;
(e) insulation layer means for insulating said voltage supply from said housing and covering a first portion of the internal surface of said housing; and
(f) a layer of material having a surface-enlarging structure, said layer of material covering a second portion of the internal surface of said housing and said insulating means, wherein said material is formed from materials in the group consisting of catalysts of reverse reactions, absorbents of specific substances, adsorbents of specific substances and suppliers of desired laser components.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In electrically pumped CO2 gas lasers, there take place widely different chemical and physical processes which lead, at least partially, to undesirable interactions of the gases among themselves, and/or of the gases with the electrical and/or the optical field and/or with the materials used in the gas-filled chambers. Bodies that are equipped with surface area-enlarging structures are included in the discharge or resonator chamber or in adjacent secondary chambers. The secondary chambers by themselves act as reservoirs or as carriers of reservoirs for suitable catalysts and gas components and/or the heating of the catalysts, and have a predetermined influence over the conditions of volume and/or pressure and/or temperature. The inclusion of such secondary chambers and such structures which enlarge surface area inside the chambers make possible the attainment of at least an approximate state of equilibrium, which leads to uniformly good discharge and long life with high laser efficiency.
39 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A gas laser comprising:
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(a) a closed metal housing defining at least a first chamber with opposing endfaces substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing and containing a gaseous laser medium; (b) means for producing an electrical discharge in said gaseous medium in said first chamber; (c) a voltage supply connected to said means for producing a discharge; (d) means for producing resonation in said first chamber along said longitudinal axis; (e) insulation layer means for insulating said voltage supply from said housing and covering a first portion of the internal surface of said housing; and (f) a layer of material having a surface-enlarging structure, said layer of material covering a second portion of the internal surface of said housing and said insulating means, wherein said material is formed from materials in the group consisting of catalysts of reverse reactions, absorbents of specific substances, adsorbents of specific substances and suppliers of desired laser components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification