Pressurized laser housing

Claim 2

In a flowing gas laser system, the combination comprising: an outer pressurized box-like housing capable of sealably withstanding heavy pressure differentials between the interior of said housing and the external atmosphere; first means defining a working region disposed within said housing, said first means including further means for permitting gaseous lasing medium disposed in said working region to leave same and enter that portion of the interior of said housing exterior of said ducting and working region; closed cycle lightweight ducting mounted within said pressurized housing, each end of said ducting being in communication with said working region for directing a high velocity flow of a gaseous lasing medium through said working region; ionizing means in communication with said working region for ionizing said gaseous lasing medium substantially throughout said working region; electrode means disposed within said working region for impressing a voltage across said ionized gaseous lasing medium in said working region thereby exciting said gaseous lasing medium and creating a population inversion; means carried by said housing for removing from said housing gaseous lasing medium exterior of said closed cycle ducting; and blower means mounted in said ducting for imparting movement to the lasing medium disposed in said ducting, the lasing medium filling said housing and ducting, the lasing medium in the working region during operation being at a slightly different pressure due to its velocity than the pressure of said lasing medium in said housing exterior of said ducting and working region.

Claim 3

The combination as set forth in claim 1 further comprising cooling means cooperating with said ducting for cooling the lasing medium disposed therein.

Claim 4

The combination as set forth in claim 2 in which said ducting includes a nozZle section communicating with said working region for providing the required velocity of lasing medium passing into the working region, and in which said ducting connects said nozzle section with said cooling means.

Claim 5

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first means further defines a resonant optical cavity included in said working region and; further comprising second means carried by said housing and spaced from said first means for coupling out of said housing laser output energy generated in said resonant optical cavity.

Claim 6

In a flowing gas laser system, the combination comprising: a housing having top, bottom, and side walls, and a pair of doors, said walls and doors defining a pressurizable enclosure; first means mounted within said housing defining a working region; second means defining a resonant optical cavity within said working region, said second means including opposed, parallel spaced apart mirrors; closed cycle means mounted entirely within the defined enclosure for directing a rapid flow of gaseous lasing medium through the working region; third means for permitting gaseous lasing medium disposed in said working region to leave same end enter that portion of the interior of said housing exterior of said closed cycle means and working region; ionizing means mounted in proximity to the working region, said ionizing means being capable of transmitting electrons into said working region and through the gaseous lasing medium passing therethrough; electrode means disposed within said working region for impressing a voltage across the ionized gaseous lasing medium in said working region thereby exciting said gaseous lasting medium and creating a population inversion; means carried by said housing for removing from said housing gaseous lasing medium exterior of said closed cycle ducting; and blower means mounted in said ducting for imparting movement to the lasing medium disposed in said ducting, the lasing medium filling said housing and ducting, the lasing medium in the working region during operation being at a slightly different pressure due to its velocity than the pressure of said lasing medium in said housing exterior of said ducting and working region.

Claim 7

In a flowing gas laser system, the combination comprising: a housing having top, bottom, and side walls, and a pair of doors, said walls and doors defining a pressurizable enclosure; first means mounted within said housing defining a working region; second means defining a resonant optical cavity within said working region, said second means including opposed, parallel spaced apart mirrors; closed cycle means mounted entirely within the defined enclosure for directing a rapid flow of gaseous lasing medium through the working region; third means for permitting gaseous lasing medium disposed in said working region to leave same end enter that portion of the interior of said housing exterior of said closed cycle means and working region; ionizing means mounted in proximity to the working region, said ionizing means being capable of transmitting electrons into said working region and through the gaseous lasing medium passing therethrough; electrode means disposed within said working region for impressing a voltage across the ionized gaseous lasing medium in said working region thereby exciting said gaseous lasting medium and creating a population inversion; means carried by said housing for removing from said housing gaseous lasing medium exterior of said closed cycle ducting; and blower means mounted in said ducting for imparting movement to the lasing medium disposed in said ducting, the lasing medium filling said housing and ducting, the lasing medium in the working region during operation being at a slightly different pressure due to its velocity than the pressure of said lasing medium in said housing exterior of said ducting and working region.

Claim 8

The combination as set forth in claim 5 in which said means for directing gaseous flow through the working region includes a closed cycle ducting communication at each end with said working region; and further comprising a heat exchanger connected with said ducting for maintaining the temperature of the gaseous lasing medium disposed in said ducting at an operating temperature.

Claim 9

The combination as set forth in claim 6 further comprising lasing medium supply means connected with said ducting to continuously supply gaseous lasing medium to the interior of said ducting.