Laser window having a metallic frame arranged to permit post optical grinding and polishing

Abstract

Abstract A GAS LASER HAVING AN IMPROVED OUTPUT WINDOW IS DISCLOSED. THE IMPROVED OPTICAL WINDOW INCLUDES AN OPTICALLY TRANSPARENT DIELECTRIC WINDOW MEMBER HERMETICALLY SEALED AT ITS PERIPHERY TO A METALLIC FRAME MEMBER WHICH IN TURN IS SEALED TO A GAS-TIGHT ENVELOPE OF THE LASER. THE METALLIC FRAME MEMBER IS ARRANGED AND DIMENSIONED RELATIVE TO THE WINDOW MEMBER TO HAVE AN OVERALL THICKNESS WHICH IS LESS THAN THE THICKNESS OF THE WINDOW MEMBER, WHEREBY THE OPTICAL FACES OF THE WINDOW MEMBER, AS SEALED INTO THE METALLIC FRAME, MAY BE OPTICALLY GROUND AND POLISHED WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM THE WINDOW FRAME MEMBER. IN A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT, THE WINDOW FRAME MEMBER IS MADE OF SHEET METAL HAVING A CONVOLUTION THEREIN FOR INHIBITING TRANSMISSION OF STRESS THROUGH THE FRAME MEMBER TO THE WINDOW MEMBER. IN ANOTHER EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION, THE WINDOW MEMBER HAS A CONCAVE SURFACE FACING INTO THE GAS ENVELOPE OF THE LASER. THE CONCAVE SURFACE IS COATED WITH AN OPTICALLY REFLECTIVE COATING TO FORM A PARTIALLY REFLECTING MIRROR DEFINING ONE END WALL OF THE LASER''S OPTICAL RESONATOR AS WELL AS THE OUTPUT OPTICAL WINDOW FOR THE COHERENT BEAM OF THE LASER.

Inventors

• 👤 Albert M Rockwell Jr

Bibliographic Details