High-performance gas laser

Claim 2

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting selfrelaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field, comprising: providing an electric field in the region of optical gain and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas flow providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas, the gas flow in the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant being that which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 3

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser system of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field having a flow of electrons therein, the lasing gas and a relaxant gas flowing through the region of optical gain at the maximum velocity obtainable within the physical limitations of the system, the improvement comprising, repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: providing an amount of relaxant gas which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level of the lasing gas which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, and a total gaseous mass flow rate to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas; and providing the maximum electron density below that which promotes localized arc initiation at the pressure required for said mass flow rate.

Claim 4

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser system of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field having a flow of electrons therein, the lasing gas and a relaxant gas flowing through the region of optical gain at the maximum velocity obtainable within the physical limitations of the system, the improvement comprising, repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: providing an amount of relaxant gas which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level of the lasing gas which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, and a total gaseous mass flow rate to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas; and providing the maximum electron density below that which promotes localized arc initiation at the pressure required for said mass flow rate.

Claim 5

In the method of establishing operation of flowing multigas laser system of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field having a flow of electrons therein, the lasing gas and a relaxant gas flowing through the region of optical gain, and additional gas, instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, flowing through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, the flow through the optical gain region being at the maximum velocity obtainable within the physical limitations of the system, the improvement comprising, repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: providing an amount of relaxant gas which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level of the lasing gas which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, and a total gaseous mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas; and providing, in the electric field region, the maximum electron density below that which promotes localized arc initiation at the pressure required for said mass flow rate.

Claim 6

In the method of establishing operation of flowing multigas laser system of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field having a flow of electrons therein, the lasing gas and a relaxant gas flowing through the region of optical gain, and additional gas, instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, flowing through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, the flow through the optical gain region being at the maximum velocity obtainable within the physical limitations of the system, the improvement comprising, repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: providing an amount of relaxant gas which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level of the lasing gas which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, and a total gaseous mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas; and providing, in the electric field region, the maximum electron density below that which promotes localized arc initiation at the pressure required for said mass flow rate.

Claim 7

In the operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the lasing gas through electron collisions in an electric field having a flow of electrons therein, the lasing gas and a relaxant gas flowing through the region of optical gain, the improvement comprising: providing an amount of relaxant gas which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, and a total gas mass flow rate to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas.

Claim 8

In the operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the lasing gas through electron collisions in an electric field having a flow of electrons therein, the lasing gas and a relaxant gas flowing through the region of optical gain, the improvement comprising: providing an amount of relaxant gas which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, and a total gas mass flow rate to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas.

Claim 9

In the operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region having a flow of electrons therein, the lasing gas and a relaxant gas flowing through the region of optical gain, and additional gas, instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, flowing through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, the improvement comprising: providing in the flow through the region of optical gain an amount of relaxant gas which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level of the lasing gas which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, and a total gas mass flow rate to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas.

Claim 10

In the operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region having a flow of electrons therein, the lasing gas and a relaxant gas flowing through the region of optical gain, and additional gas, instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, flowing through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, the improvement comprising: providing in the flow through the region of optical gain an amount of relaxant gas which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level of the lasing gas which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, and a total gas mass flow rate to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas.

Claim 11

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 12

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 13

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a population of the lower laser level of the lasing gas substantially equal to the population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temPerature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 14

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a population of the lower laser level of the lasing gas substantially equal to the population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temPerature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 15

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, the electron density and the pressure providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 16

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, the electron density and the pressure providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 17

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with the rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having an amount of relaxant gas and a total mass flow rate of gases providing, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laseR level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 18

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with the rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having an amount of relaxant gas and a total mass flow rate of gases providing, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laseR level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 19

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having the highest velocity obtainable within the physical limitations of the laser system and having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of said limiting process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 20

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having the highest velocity obtainable within the physical limitations of the laser system and having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of said limiting process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 21

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing, in the electric field region, an electric field and a flow of electrons having the maximum electron density and pressure below that which promotes localized arc initiation; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 22

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing, in the electric field region, an electric field and a flow of electrons having the maximum electron density and pressure below that which promotes localized arc initiation; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 23

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in a plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 24

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in a plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 25

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; and providing flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into the 001 level of carbon dioxide, the amount of carbon dioxide flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the carbon dioxide within the region of optical gain, the lasing gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of carbon dioxide at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and of the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 26

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; and providing flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into the 001 level of carbon dioxide, the amount of carbon dioxide flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the carbon dioxide within the region of optical gain, the lasing gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of carbon dioxide at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and of the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 27

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, compRising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; and providing flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into the 001 level of carbon dioxide, the amount of carbon dioxide flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the carbon dioxide within the region of optical gain, the lasing gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a population of the 100 level substantially equal to the population of the 010 level and having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of carbon dioxide at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 28

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, compRising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; and providing flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into the 001 level of carbon dioxide, the amount of carbon dioxide flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the carbon dioxide within the region of optical gain, the lasing gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a population of the 100 level substantially equal to the population of the 010 level and having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of carbon dioxide at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 29

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; and providing flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of gaseous molecular nitrogen, the amount of carbon dioxide flow, the amount of nitrogen flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the carbon dioxide within the region of optical gain, the lasing gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of carbon dioxide at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 30

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; and providing flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of gaseous molecular nitrogen, the amount of carbon dioxide flow, the amount of nitrogen flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the carbon dioxide within the region of optical gain, the lasing gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of carbon dioxide at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 31

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region having the maximum electric field and pressure below that which promotes localized arc initiation; and providing flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of gaseous molecular nitrogen, the amount of carbon dioxide flow, the amount of nitrogen flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas iN the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the carbon dioxide within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of carbon dioxide at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 32

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region having the maximum electric field and pressure below that which promotes localized arc initiation; and providing flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of gaseous molecular nitrogen, the amount of carbon dioxide flow, the amount of nitrogen flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas iN the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the carbon dioxide within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of carbon dioxide at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 33

Operation of a CO2, N2, He gas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of CO2, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the optical gain region having the maximum electric field and pressure below that which promotes localized arc initiation; and providing flow of the CO2, N2 and He through the region of optical gain, the relative proportions of CO2 and N2 and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of CO2, the CO2 having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of CO2, the amount of He being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level of the lasing gas which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 34

Operation of a CO2, N2, He gas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of CO2, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the optical gain region having the maximum electric field and pressure below that which promotes localized arc initiation; and providing flow of the CO2, N2 and He through the region of optical gain, the relative proportions of CO2 and N2 and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of CO2, the CO2 having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of CO2, the amount of He being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level of the lasing gas which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 35

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field, comprising: providing an electric field in the optical gain region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow, through the region of optical gain, of the lasing gas, a relaxant gas and additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the relative proportions of lasing gas flow and additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser levEl populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 36

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field, comprising: providing an electric field in the optical gain region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow, through the region of optical gain, of the lasing gas, a relaxant gas and additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the relative proportions of lasing gas flow and additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser levEl populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 37

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas, a relaxant gas and additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas through the region of optical gain, the relative proportions of lasing gas flow and additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having an amount of relaxant gas and a total mass flow rate of gases to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, the pressure of gases being that which provides said number density, the velocity of gas flow being that which provides said mass flow at said pressure.

Claim 38

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas, a relaxant gas and additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas through the region of optical gain, the relative proportions of lasing gas flow and additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having an amount of relaxant gas and a total mass flow rate of gases to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas, said temperature being above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gas flow through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, the pressure of gases being that which provides said number density, the velocity of gas flow being that which provides said mass flow at said pressure.

Claim 39

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the optical gain region; second, initiating an electric field in the optical gain region and a flow of electrons therein; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of unionized gas to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas; and b. adjusting the temperature of gas flow to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 40

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the optical gain region; second, initiating an electric field in the optical gain region and a flow of electrons therein; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of unionized gas to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas; and b. adjusting the temperature of gas flow to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 41

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process Between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field, the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field, and the amount of lasing gas flow and additional gas flow to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the temperature of gas flow through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides a rate of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 42

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process Between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field, the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field, and the amount of lasing gas flow and additional gas flow to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the temperature of gas flow through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides a rate of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 43

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output; a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the temperature of the gas flow through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas flow being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upPer laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 44

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output; a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the temperature of the gas flow through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas flow being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upPer laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 45

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. increasing the electron density and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to levels at which a further increase in both of them results in the initiation of localized arcing; b. adjusting the temperature of the gas flow through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas flow being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 46

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. increasing the electron density and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to levels at which a further increase in both of them results in the initiation of localized arcing; b. adjusting the temperature of the gas flow through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas flow being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 47

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas, a relaxant gas, and an additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the optical gain region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the relative proportions of lasing gas and additional gas, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas per electron per un-ionized gas particles; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output; a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas; and b. adjusting the temperature of the gas flow to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas flow being that which provides a rate of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 48

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas, a relaxant gas, and an additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the optical gain region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the relative proportions of lasing gas and additional gas, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas per electron per un-ionized gas particles; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output; a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas; and b. adjusting the temperature of the gas flow to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas flow being that which provides a rate of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 49

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output; a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 50

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output; a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 51

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser system of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, said flow having the maximum velocity obtainable within the physical liMitations of the laser system; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with equal to the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 52

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser system of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, said flow having the maximum velocity obtainable within the physical liMitations of the laser system; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with equal to the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 53

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to establish an optical power output at which the population of the upper energy state of the limiting process is substantially equal to the population of the lower laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates oF relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 54

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to establish an optical power output at which the population of the upper energy state of the limiting process is substantially equal to the population of the lower laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates oF relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 55

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to establish maximum optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 56

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to establish maximum optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 57

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric discharge and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles in the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessaRy, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 58

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric discharge and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles in the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessaRy, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 59

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 energy level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into excitation of the 001 level of carbon dioxide; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of carbon dioxide gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the carbon dioxide in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. increasing the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the 001 level of carbon dioxide within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides a rate of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 60

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 energy level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into excitation of the 001 level of carbon dioxide; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of carbon dioxide gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the carbon dioxide in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. increasing the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the 001 level of carbon dioxide within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides a rate of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 61

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 energy level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric discharge and optical gain, of gaseous nitrogen; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the electric dischaRge region; third, adjusting the amount of carbon dioxide, the amount of nitrogen flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles in the electric discharge region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of carbon dioxide in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric discharge region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. increasing the magnitude of the electric field and the pressure of gas in the electric discharge region to levels at which a further increase in both of them results in the initiation of localized arcing within the plasma; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the carbon dioxide at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 62

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 energy level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric discharge and optical gain, of gaseous nitrogen; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the electric dischaRge region; third, adjusting the amount of carbon dioxide, the amount of nitrogen flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles in the electric discharge region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of carbon dioxide in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric discharge region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. increasing the magnitude of the electric field and the pressure of gas in the electric discharge region to levels at which a further increase in both of them results in the initiation of localized arcing within the plasma; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the carbon dioxide at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 63

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, while monitoring optical output power, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region for a peak in optical output power; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 64

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, while monitoring optical output power, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region for a peak in optical output power; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 65

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process betwEen a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, while monitoring optical output power, and electrical input power, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region for maximum optical output efficiency; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides a rate of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 66

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process betwEen a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, while monitoring optical output power, and electrical input power, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region for maximum optical output efficiency; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides a rate of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 67

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase, at said ratio, the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fracTion of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 68

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas in the region of optical gain, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase, at said ratio, the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fracTion of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 69

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of lasing gas within the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field, the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field, and the ratio of them to a value in excess of said ratio, to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 70

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of lasing gas within the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field, the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field, and the ratio of them to a value in excess of said ratio, to increase the rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the lasing gas less than a significant fraction of the total population of the lasing gas at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the lasing gas at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 71

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing CO2, N2, He laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of CO2 and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within the optical gain region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of gaseous CO2, N2 and He, through the region of optical gain; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the optical gain region; third, adjusting the relative proportions of CO2 and N2 and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level per electron per un-ionized gas particle; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. increasing both the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas to increase the rate of excitation of the 001 level; and b. adjusting the amount of He and the total gas mass flow rate to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level of CO2 less than a significant fraction of the total population of CO2 at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the CO2 at the pressure of said gaseous flow, the amount of He being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level of CO2 which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 72

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing CO2, N2, He laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of CO2 and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within the optical gain region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of gaseous CO2, N2 and He, through the region of optical gain; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the optical gain region; third, adjusting the relative proportions of CO2 and N2 and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level per electron per un-ionized gas particle; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. increasing both the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas to increase the rate of excitation of the 001 level; and b. adjusting the amount of He and the total gas mass flow rate to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level of CO2 less than a significant fraction of the total population of CO2 at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the CO2 at the pressure of said gaseous flow, the amount of He being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level of CO2 which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 73

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser system of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric discharge plasma, a gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas flowing through the region of the plasma, the improvement comprising: providing a total gaseous mass flow rate through the plasma to provide, as a result of losses in said plasma, a current-voltage characteristic which is flow dominated as a result of the losses associated with said mass flow.

Claim 74

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser system of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric discharge plasma, a gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas flowing through the region of the plasma, the improvement comprising: providing a total gaseous mass flow rate through the plasma to provide, as a result of losses in said plasma, a current-voltage characteristic which is flow dominated as a result of the losses associated with said mass flow.

Claim 75

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain, having a population of the lower laser level of the lasing gas substantially equal to the population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process, through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state to provide, at the pressure thereof, number density difference between the upper and lower laser levels to provide a gain not less than one-half percent per centimeter of optical gain path length.

Claim 76

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the upper laser level of the lasing gas within the region of optical gain, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain, having a population of the lower laser level of the lasing gas substantially equal to the population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process, through the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between upper and lower laser level populations for any given rate of upper laser level excitation, the gas flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of said upper energy state to provide, at the pressure thereof, number density difference between the upper and lower laser levels to provide a gain not less than one-half percent per centimeter of optical gain path length.

Claim 77

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing CO2, N2, He laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of CO2 and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within the optical gain region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of gaseous CO2, N2 and He, through the region of optical gain; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the optical gain region; third, adjusting the relative proportions of CO2 and N2 and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level per electron per un-ionized gas particle; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output at a gain of not less than one-half percent per centimeter of optical gain path length: a. increasing both the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas to increase the rate of excitation of the 001 level; and b. adjusting the amount of He and the total gas mass flow rate to provide rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level of CO2 which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation and to provide throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level of CO2 not greater than that population of the 100 level thereof to provide said gain at the pressure of said gaseous flow.

Claim 78

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing CO2, N2, He laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of CO2 and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within the optical gain region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of gaseous CO2, N2 and He, through the region of optical gain; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the optical gain region; third, adjusting the relative proportions of CO2 and N2 and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level per electron per un-ionized gas particle; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output at a gain of not less than one-half percent per centimeter of optical gain path length: a. increasing both the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas to increase the rate of excitation of the 001 level; and b. adjusting the amount of He and the total gas mass flow rate to provide rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level of CO2 which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation and to provide throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level of CO2 not greater than that population of the 100 level thereof to provide said gain at the pressure of said gaseous flow.

Claim 79

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of gaseous nitrous oxide, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; and providing flow of the nitrous oxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into the 001 level of nitrous oxide, the amount of nitrous oxide flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the nitrous oxide within the region of optical gain, the nitrous oxide flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of nitrous oxide, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and of the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 80

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of gaseous nitrous oxide, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; and providing flow of the nitrous oxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into the 001 level of nitrous oxide, the amount of nitrous oxide flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of the nitrous oxide within the region of optical gain, the nitrous oxide flowing through the region of optical gain having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of nitrous oxide, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and of the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 81

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 energy level of gaseous nitrous oxide, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the nitrous oxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into excitation of the 001 level of nitrous oxide; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of nitrous oxide gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 Level of the nitrous oxide in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. increasing the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the 001 level of nitrous oxide within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the nitrous oxide less than a significant fraction of the total population thereof, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides a rate of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels of nitrous oxide for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 82

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 energy level of gaseous nitrous oxide, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the nitrous oxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into excitation of the 001 level of nitrous oxide; second, initiating an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; third, adjusting the amount of nitrous oxide gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow, and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles within the electric field region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 Level of the nitrous oxide in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric field region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. increasing the magnitude of the electric field and the number density of un-ionized gas in the region of the electric field to increase the rate of excitation of the 001 level of nitrous oxide within the region of optical gain; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the upper energy state of the limiting relaxation process of the nitrous oxide less than a significant fraction of the total population thereof, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides a rate of relaxation of said upper energy state and the upper laser level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels of nitrous oxide for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 83

Operation of a CO2, N2, He gas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of CO2, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the optical gain region; and providing flow of the CO2, N2 and He through the region of optical gain, the relative proportions of CO2 and N2 and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of CO2, the CO2 having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of CO2, the amount of He being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level of the lasing gas which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 84

Operation of a CO2, N2, He gas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 level of CO2, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, comprising: providing an electric discharge plasma in the optical gain region; and providing flow of the CO2, N2 and He through the region of optical gain, the relative proportions of CO2 and N2 and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas in the plasma providing substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of CO2, the CO2 having a temperature to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of CO2, the amount of He being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level of the lasing gas which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 85

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 energy level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric discharge and optical gain, of gaseous nitrogen; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; third, adjusting the amount of carbon dioxide, the amount of nitrogen flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles in the electric discharge region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of carbon dioxide in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric discharge region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the pressure of gas in the electric discharge region; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the carbon dIoxide at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 86

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from the 001 energy level of gaseous carbon dioxide, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the carbon dioxide gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric discharge and optical gain, of gaseous nitrogen; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; third, adjusting the amount of carbon dioxide, the amount of nitrogen flow and the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles in the electric discharge region to provide substantially the maximum rate of excitation of the 001 level of carbon dioxide in the optical gain region, per electron per un-ionized gas particle in the electric discharge region; then repetitively as necessary, to increase optical power output: a. adjusting the magnitude of the electric field and the pressure of gas in the electric discharge region; and b. adjusting the amount of relaxant gas and the mass flow rate through the region of optical gain to provide, throughout the region of optical gain, population of the 010 level less than a significant fraction of the total population of carbon dioxide at a temperature above the precipitation temperature of the carbon dIoxide at the pressure of said gaseous flow within the region of optical gain, the amount of relaxant gas being that which provides rates of relaxation of the 010 level and the 001 level which with the rate of stimulated photon emission provide substantially maximum positive differential between the populations of the 001 and 100 levels for any given rate of upper laser level excitation.

Claim 87

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas determined in accordance with the relationships:

Claim 88

Operation of a multigas laser of the type in which optical output power is extracted in a region of optical gain, from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a rate substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into gas flowing in the laser through electron collisions in an electric field region, comprising: providing an electric field in the electric field region and a flow of electrons therein; and providing flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric field and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas, the amount of lasing gas flow, the amount of additional gas flow and the ratio of magnitude of the electric field to the number density of the un-ionized gas determined in accordance with the relationships:

Claim 89

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a raTe substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric discharge and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; third, adjusting the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles, the amount of lasing gas flow and the amount of additional gas flow in accordance with the relationships:

Claim 90

In the method of establishing operation of a flowing multigas laser of the type in which optical output is extracted in a region of optical gain from an upper laser level of a lasing gas having a limiting self-relaxation process between a lower laser level and the ground state with a raTe substantially slower than the rate of stimulated photon emission, and electrical input power is coupled into the gas flow in the laser through electron collisions in the plasma within an electric discharge region, the steps of: first, initiating flow of the lasing gas and a relaxant gas through the region of optical gain, and flow, through the regions of the electric discharge and optical gain, of additional gas instrumental in promoting transfer of electrical input power into upper laser level excitation of the lasing gas; second, establishing an electric discharge plasma in the electric discharge region; third, adjusting the ratio of the magnitude of the electric field to the number density of un-ionized gas particles, the amount of lasing gas flow and the amount of additional gas flow in accordance with the relationships: