Pulsed laser device with improved discharge circuit

Claim 2

In a discharge circuit for pumping an electrically pumped laser device for producing light, comprising means defining an elongated cavity having a longitudinal axis; means for supplying to said cavity a gas having at least two energy levels above the ground energy level in which the net excitation rate for the higher of the two upper levels is greater than the net excitation rate for the lower of the two energy levels during electric discharge in said gas; and first and second oppositely disposed electrode means communicating with said cavity for applying an electric field across said cavity normal to and along said longitudinal axis to product an inversion between the two upper energy levels of said gas, the combination comprising: a. input means for connection to a high-voltage source; b. a storage capacitor which couples said first electrode means and said input means; c. secondary capacitor means coupled to said first and second electrode means; and d. means including switching means for sequentially charging said storage capacitor and then coupling the charge on said storage capacitor to said secondary capacitor means to effect an electric discharge through said gas.

Claim 3

The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said storage capacitor means and secondary capacitor means are carried by the means defining said cavity.

Claim 4

The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said secondary capacitor means comprises a plurality of capacitors connected to said electrode means at respectively different points along the length of said electrode means.

Claim 5

The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein the ratio of the capacitance of said secondary capacitor means to said storage capacitor is about 0.8.

Claim 6

The combination as defined in claim 2 additionally including resistor means coupled to said first and second electrode means and said input means includes a critically damped charging network of at least one series connected resistor and inductor.

Claim 7

The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein the value of said resistor means coupled to said electrode means is large compared to the resistance of said gas during discharge through it and small compared to the resistance of said charging network.

Claim 8

The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said storage capacitor, switching means, and said secondary capacitor means are carried by the means defining said cavity and in close proximity thereto, said means defining said cavity at least in part forming part of the electrical circuit between said secondary capacitor means and said second electrode means.

Claim 9

In a discharge circuit for pumping an electrically pumped laser device for producing light, comprising means defining an elongated cavity having a longitudinal axis; means for supplying to said cavity a gas having at least two energy levels above the ground energy level in which the net excitation rate for the higher of the two upper levels is greater than the net excitation rate for the lower of the two energy levels during electric discharge in said gas; and first and second oppositely disposed electrode means communicating with said cavity for applying an electric field across said cavity normal to and along said longitudinal axis to produce an inversion between the two upper energy levels of said gas, the combination comprising: a. input means for connection to a high-voltage source having a voltage high enough to break down said gas in said cavity; b. a storage capacitor connected in series between said first electrode means and said input means; c. secondary capacitor means coupled to said first and second electrode means, said secondary capacitor means having a capacitance substantially less than that of said storage capacitor means; and d. means including switching means for charging said storage capacitor to a voltage sufficient to breakdown of said gas in said cavity means and then coupling the charge on said storage capacitor to said secondary capacitor means to effect an electric discharge through said gas from said secondary capacitor means.

Claim 10

In a discharge circuit for pumping an electrically pumped laser device for producing light, comprising means defining an elongated cavity having a longitudinal axis; means for supplying to said cavity a gas having at least two energy levels above the ground energy level in which the net excitation rate for the higher of the two upper levels is greater than the net excitation rate for the lower of the two energy levels during electric discharge in said gas; and first and second oppositely disposed electrode means communicating with said cavity for applying an electric field across said cavity normal to and along said longitudinal axis to produce an inversion between the two upper energy levels of said gas, the combination comprising: a. input means for connection to a high-voltage source having a voltage high enough to break down said gas in said cavity; b. a storage capacitor connected in series between said first electrode means and said input means; c. secondary capacitor means coupled to said first and second electrode means, said secondary capacitor means having a capacitance substantially less than that of said storage capacitor means; and d. means including switching means for charging said storage capacitor to a voltage sufficient to breakdown of said gas in said cavity means and then coupling the charge on said storage capacitor to said secondary capacitor means to effect an electric discharge through said gas from said secondary capacitor means.

Claim 11

The combination as defined in claim 8 and including resistor means coupled to said first and second electrode means, said second electrode means comprising an electrically conductive substantially U-shaped member having two leg portions and a bight portion interconnecting said leg portions, said bight portion defining one side of said cavity and being disposed normal to said electric field, said first electrode means defining a side of said cavity opposite to said bight portion, and a pair of electrically nonconductive members covering the inner surface of each said leg portion and extending between said first electrode means and said bight portion; electrically conductive support means carried by said second electrode means and in electrical contact therewith, said secondary capacitor means comprising a plurality of capacitors carried by said support means in close proximity to said first and second electrode means, said plurality of capacitors each being electrically connected to said first and second electrode means at respectively different points along the length thereof. The combination as defined in claim 9 wherein said storage capacitor and said switching means are carried by said support means in close proximity to said secondary capacitor means.