Abstract A gas-ion laser is described including means to maintain the ionizable gas in the laser cavity at a rather constant pressure over an extended period of time to significantly increase the useful life of the gas-ion laser. The gas laser includes a gas makeup system having a high pressure source or storage container and a regulating valve. The valve has a permeable solid state orifice member through which the gas flows from the high pressure source to the laser cavity to replenish the gas in the laser cavity and maintain the gas pressure in the cavity rather constant. The permeable orifice member is selected from a solid state material having a permeability that is variable in relation to the magnitude of the energy applied to the orifice member. The gas-ion laser has a valve operating means such as a heater for varying the applied energy such as thermal energy to the member to regulate the gas flow. Additionally, the gas-ion laser has a valve control means that is responsive to the gas pressure in the laser cavity for controlling the valve control means to maintain the pressure at a desired level.
In a gas-ion laser, an envelope having a laser cavity for receiving an ionizable gas; a source of pressurized ionizable gas interconnected to the envelope to supply the gas to the laser cavity; a valve between the source and the cavity to regulate the flow of gas from the source to the cavity; said valve having a solid state orifice member that is permeable to the ionizable gas in which the rate of diffusion of the ionizable gas through the orifice member varies in relation to the amount of electrical energy applied through the orifice member; said solid state orifice member being constructed of a dielectric material having thin electrode layers on opposite sides thereof; and voltage means for varying an electrical energy field through the orifice member to vary the flow of gas from the source to the cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a gas-ion laser, an envelope having a laser cavity for receiving an ionizable gas; a source of pressurized ionizable gas interconnected to the envelope to supply the gas to the laser cavity; a valve between the source and the cavity to regulate the flow of gas from the source to the cavity; said valve having a solid state orifice member that is permeable to the ionizable gas in which the rate of diffusion of the ionizable gas through the orifice member varies in relation to the amount of electrical energy applied through the orifice member; said solid state orifice member being constructed of a dielectric material having thin electrode layers on opposite sides thereof; and voltage means for varying an electrical energy field through the orifice member to vary the flow of gas from the source to the cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the laser defined in claim 1 wherein the valve is capable of being subjected to laser envelope baking temperatures of approximately 500.degree. C. without injurious effects.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a gas-ion laser, an envelope having a laser cavity for receiving an ionizable gas; a source of pressurized ionizable gas interconnected to the envelope to supply the gas to the laser cavity; a valve between the source and the cavity to regulate the flow of gas from the source to the cavity; said valve having a solid state orifice member that is permeable to the ionizable gas in which the rate of diffusion of the ionizable gas through the orifice member varies in relation to the amount of mechanical energy applied to the orifice member tending to bend the orifice member; and bending force means for varying the amount of mechanical bending energy applied to the orifice member to very the flow of gas from the source to the cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a gas-ion laser, an envelope having a laser cavity for receiving an ionizable gas; a source of pressurized ionizable gas interconnected to the envelope to supply the gas to the laser cavity; a valve between the source and the cavity to regulate the flow of gas from the source to the cavity; said valve having a solid state orifice member that is permeable to the ionizable gas in which the rate of diffusion of the ionizable gas through the orifice member varies in relation to the amount of mechanical energy applied to the orifice member tending to bend the orifice member; and bending force means for varying the amount of mechanical bending energy applied to the orifice member to very the flow of gas from the source to the cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
In the laser defined in claim 3 wherein the bending force means includes a transducer operatively connected to the member for applying a mechanical bending force to the member in response to the application of a voltage to the transducer.