Metal ion laser

• US 5,128,952 A
• Filed: 09/18/1990
• Issued: 07/07/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Uchiyama, Yoshihiro, Tokita, Yasuhiro, Fuke, Akira, Tsukiji, Mitsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia Y.
• Application Number:
  US07/584,068
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 372/65, 372/33, 372/103, 372/88, 372/87, 372/56
• US Class Current: 372/56
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/031 Metal vapour lasers, e.g. metal vapour generation

Abstract

A hollow cathode type metal ion laser utilizing negative glow discharge for generating a laser beam. A hollow cathode is inserted into a glass tube, and there are provided springs between opposite ends of the hollow cathode and adjacent ends of the glass tube respectively.

Claims

1. A hollow cathode type metal ion laser utilizing negative glow discharge for generating a laser beam, comprising:

a glass tube extending fore and aft directions;

a hollow elongated cathode inserted into said glass tube;

a plurality of anodes mounted on said glass tube;

a pair of Brewster windows sealingly fixed to axial opposite ends of said glass tube;

coil springs disposed between opposite ends of said hollow cathode and corresponding ends of said glass tube respectively and resiliently retained said hollow cathode in said glass tube;

Brewster window protecting devices provided in said glass tube and near to said Brewster windows.

2. A hollow cathode type metal ion laser according to claim 1, wherein the Brewster window protecting device consists of a magnetically displaceable plug ball, and comprising a partition plate having an opening for cooperating with said plug ball, with said opening acting normally as a passage of laser beam.

3. A hollow cathode type metal ion laser according to claim 1, wherein a cathode pin is passing through and retained on a side wall of the glass tube, and the hollow cathode is connected to the cathode pin through a connector piece which is formed of a flexible electroconductive material.

4. A hollow cathode type metal ion laser according to claim 1, wherein the hollow cathode is retained and slidably supported in the glass tube.