Method and device for generating a laser beam
First Claim
1. A method for generating a laser beam having a defined beam axis, the method comprising steps of:
- a) applying, at a first time, a first voltage pulse to an at least partly ionized gas for effecting an electron multiplication;
b) applying, at a second time, a second voltage pulse to the at least partly ionized gas for effecting a gas discharge;
c) setting a time difference (Δ
t) between the first time and the second time and setting an electron redistributed rate occurring between the first and second times such that a relatively flat profile of the laser beam in a direction perpendicular to the beam axis and perpendicular to an electric field generated by the first and second voltage pulses is achieved.
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Abstract
Described are a method for generating a laser beam and a laser device for practising the method. In a first step gas is ionised by means of X-rays. In a second step the electron density is increased by means of a pre-discharge. In a third step the main discharge takes place. Between the second and third steps, an electron redistribution occurs. According to the invention, the electron redistribution rate and/or the time delay between the pre-discharge and the main discharge are adjustable and controllable in relation to each other, for achieving a particular desired beam profile, such as a uniform profile. Because that delay is preferably set by varying one or more process parameters, an improtant advantage is achieved in that it is possible with one and the same laser device to modify the beam profile in a simple and flexible manner even during the operation of the laser device.
16 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method for generating a laser beam having a defined beam axis, the method comprising steps of:
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a) applying, at a first time, a first voltage pulse to an at least partly ionized gas for effecting an electron multiplication; b) applying, at a second time, a second voltage pulse to the at least partly ionized gas for effecting a gas discharge; c) setting a time difference (Δ
t) between the first time and the second time and setting an electron redistributed rate occurring between the first and second times such that a relatively flat profile of the laser beam in a direction perpendicular to the beam axis and perpendicular to an electric field generated by the first and second voltage pulses is achieved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A laser device for generating a laser beam having a defined beam axis, the laser device comprising:
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a) means for generating a first voltage pulse for effecting an electron multiplication; b) means for generating a second voltage pulse for effecting a gas discharge; and c) means for setting the time delay Δ
t between the first voltage pulse and the second voltage pulse wherein the laser device has a repetition frequency considerably greater than 1 kHz and wherein the laser beam has a relatively flat profile in a direction perpendicular to its beam axis and perpendicular to an electric field generated by the first voltage pulse and a second electric field generated by a second voltage pulse. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A laser device comprising:
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a) means for applying, at a first time, a first voltage pulse to an at least partly ionized gas for effecting an electron multiplication and for applying, at a second time, a second voltage pulse for effecting a gas discharge; and b) means for setting electron redistribution rate between the first and second times such that an emitted laser beam has a relatively flat profile in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the laser beam and perpendicular to an electric field generated by the first and second voltage pulses. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A laser device for generating a laser beam, the laser device comprising:
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a) means for applying, to an at least partly ionized gas, a first voltage pulse at a first time for effecting an electron multiplication; and b) means for thereafter applying a second voltage pulse at a second time for effecting a gas discharge, wherein a time difference (Δ
t) between the first time and the second time and an electron redistribution rate occurring between the first and second times is such that the laser beam has a top hat profile in a direction perpendicular to its beam axis and perpendicular to an electric field generated by the first and second voltage pulses. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification