Laser structure

Claim 1

The compact, durable, prealigned laser structure comprising a laser unit which is comprised of an elongated glass laser rod having an axis extending lengthwise therethrough, a flash-lamp disposed generally parallel to the laser rod axis, a cylindrical pumping reflector disposed around substantially the entire length of the laser rod and flash-lamp, electrically insulating means for supporting the laser rod and flash-lamp within the cylindrical pumping reflector, means disposed around the cylindrical pumping reflector for triggering the flash-lamp, and a tubular sleeve having an axis extending therethrough in which the cylindrical pumping reflector if firmly mounted by means of an electrically insulating potting compound, the axis of the laser rod being prealigned in an substantially parallel relation to the axis of the tubular sleeve, first and second end reflector units having reflectors therein which are reflective at the emission wavelength of the glass laser rod, at least one reflector of which is slightly transmissive at the emission wave length, means associated with each of the reflector units for adjusting the orientation of the reflectors about a central axis said means including a spring disposed around the reflector on the side thereof adjacent the laser rod and at least three circumferentially disposed adjusting screws bearing on the reflector on the side opposite the laser rod, and a tubular outer aligning sleeve for mounting the laser unit between the first and second end reflector units, each of the units having a sliding fit within the outer aligning sleeve whereby the entire laser structure is aligned.