EP0178810A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
A hollow-cathode type metal ion laser
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-09-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-09-25
Abstract
Abstract 57 A hollow-cathode type metal ion laser (100) for producing white light includes a gas-filled tubular envelope (1) and a hollow-cathode (3) located within the tubular envelope (1). The hollow cathode (3) has holes (4) formed in a side wall portion thereof and a bore therein (3a). The hollow-cathode type metal ion laser preferably includes a plurality of metal-containing reservoirs (7) for diffusing vapour of the metal into the bore (3a) through the holes (4). Each of the metal-containing reservoirs (7) forms a portion of the tubular envelope (1) and is preferably disposed next to one of the holes (4). Further, each of the metal-containing reservoirs (7) preferably extends downwardly. Main anodes (5), one near each of the holes, are preferably disposed one within each of the metal-containing reservoirs (7). The tubular envelope (1) preferably includes sub-anodes (6) disposed one within each end portion (1b, 1c) of the tubular envelope (1) to confine the metal vapour within the bore (3a).
Inventors
- 👤 Hiromi Kawase
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/038; H01S3/0385; H01S3/031; H01S3/0382
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A hollow-cathode type metal ion laser (100) for producing white light, comprising a gas-filled tubular envelope (1 or 101) and a hollow cathode (3 or 303 or 403) located within the tubular envelope and having a bore (3a or 403a or 503a) therein characterized by holes (4 or 104 or 404) formed in a side wall portion of the hollow cathode, by a plurality of main anodes (5) disposed one near each of the holes and by a metal-containing reservoir (7 or 107 or 607 or 707) for diffusing the vapour of the metal (8) into the cathode bore (3a or 403a or 503a) the metal containing reservoir forming a portion of the tubular envelope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A hollow-cathode type metal ion laser (100) for producing white light, comprising a gas-filled tubular envelope (1 or 101) and a hollow cathode (3 or 303 or 403) located within the tubular envelope and having a bore (3a or 403a or 503a) therein characterized by holes (4 or 104 or 404) formed in a side wall portion of the hollow cathode, by a plurality of main anodes (5) disposed one near each of the holes and by a metal-containing reservoir (7 or 107 or 607 or 707) for diffusing the vapour of the metal (8) into the cathode bore (3a or 403a or 503a) the metal containing reservoir forming a portion of the tubular envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A laser as claimed in claim 1 in which a plurality of said metal-containing reservoirs is provided, one for diffusing vapour of the metal into the cathode bore through each of said holes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A laser as claimed in claim 2 in which said main anodes are positioned one within each of said metal-containing reservoirs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A laser as claimed in claim 3 in which each of the main anodes is covered by an insulator (5e or 7a or 5b or 605b or 705b), except its inner end portion (5k).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the gas is helium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the metal is cadmium or zinc or tellurium or selenium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the tubular envelope and the metal-containing reservoir or reservoirs are made of glass or ceramics.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the hollow cathode is made of iron or stainless steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the holes are formed at the lower position of the side wall portion of the hollow cathode and the metal-containing reservoir or reservoirs extend downwardly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A laser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the holes are formed at a side position or side positions of the side wall portion of the hollow cathode and the metal-containing reservoir or reservoirs extend downwardly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the or each metal-containing reservoir is surrounded by an external heater (9 or 705).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising sub-anodes (6) disposed one within each end portion of the tubular envelope for confining the metal vapour within the cathode bore and insulator tubes (13 or 213) likewise disposed one within each end portion of the tubular envelope.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a gauge (214) for sensing the gas pressure within the tubular envelope, an apparatus (216) for compensating for a loss of the gas within the tubular envelope, said apparatus being arranged to supply further gas into the envelope until the sensed gas pressure is substantially equal to a predetermined optimum pressure and a getter (215) for absorbing impurities within the tubular envelope.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the holes (404) of the hollow cathode are tapered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the ends of the tubular envelope are sealed each to a Brewster's angle window (2).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laser as claimed in any preceding claim in which a tapered portion (400 or 500) is formed inside each end portion of the hollow cathode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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