Electron beam-pumped gas laser system

Claim 1

An electron beam-initiated-and-sustained electricaldischarge gas laser system comprising: a vessel containing a gaseous lasing medium under pressure, said vessel comprising a housing defining a longitudinally extending closed chamber therein, Brewster angle windows transparent to light at frequencies which the medium exhibits gain positioned in opposite endwalls of said housing, a pair of electrode means positioned in spaced relation longitudinally within said chamber, said electrode means extending along a major portion of the longitudinal length of said housing, said pair of electrode means comprising a longitudinally extending cathode and a longitudinally extending anode, said cathode being connected electrically to ground and said anode being connected electrically positive with respect to ground, means electrically connected to said cathode and anode for impressing thereacross a voltage less than the breakdown voltage of said pressurized gaseous lasing high energy medium, means for supplying said chamber with said gaseous lasing medium, window means transparent to high energy electrons positioned longitudinally in said housing and in close proximity to said cathode, said window means comprising a thin longitudinally extending member defining a portion of a wall surface of said chamber and extending along a major longitudinal portion of said housing, said window means being supported by a grill-like member, said window means and said grill-like member being supported by said housing and electrically connected to ground, electron generating means positioned longitudinally parallel to and along a major portion of said housing adjacent said window means, said electron generating means including a longitudinally extending casing secured to said housing so as to define a chamber in open communication along the longitudinal length thereof with said window means, means connected to said casing for producing a vacuum in said last-mentioned chamber, said window means defining an anode of said electron generating means, cathode means positioned longitudinally in said casing in spaced relationship with said window means and connected electrically negative with respect to ground, means for producing a voltage drop between said cathode means and said window means including a negative potential power supply electrically connected to said cathode means, and means for controlling said voltage drop comprising a control grid positioned in said chamber intermediate said cathode menas and said window means and means for controlling said control grid, whereby activation of said electron generating means directs at least one beam of highenergy electrons along substantially the longitudinal length and throughout substantially the cross-sectional area of said housIng and through said gaseous lasing medium in said first-mentioned chamber ionizing it slightly and triggering and sustaining a large uniform electrical discharge between said cathode and said anode exciting the lasing medium and creating a large population inversion allowing stimulation thereby producing a high energy output.