Patent EP0369707A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4064465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser cavities with gas flow through the electrodes
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1976-01-13
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Granted: 1977-12-20
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Expires: 1996-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A uniform field electrode arrangement for exciting a laser gas in a high pressure pulsed gas laser apparatus so constructed to facilitate discharge initiation and smooth laminar gas flow. The geometry of the electrode assembly provides for laminar gas flow through the discharge volume providing an optically homogeneous lasing medium. Discharge initiation for pulsed operation is achieved using, for example, ultraviolet irradiation of the electrode assembly, corona discharge devices and radioisotope irradiation of the electrode assembly. Independent of the type of initiatory discharge device used, the geometry of the assembly allows for efficient supply of initiating electrons to the discharge gap without interference with smooth gas flow through the optical cavity. Mesh electrodes can be used to facilitate gas flow in a direction parallel with the direction of electrical discharge.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Hundstad
- 👤 Owen Farish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/0979; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/038; H01S3/0971; H01S3/09713; H01S3/09716
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A high pressure pulsed gas laser apparatus having an optical cavity and an envelope volume substantially enclosing the optical cavity, comprising: an electrode assembly positioned within said envelope volume including first and second electrodes arranged in a substantially uniform field configuration and defining a discharge gap region therebetween, means for flowing a laser gas at high pressure through a first portion of said envelope volume including said discharge gap region in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of said optical cavity, said electrode assembly further including discharge initiation means adjacent said first and second electrodes in a second portion of said envelope volume for supplying initiatory electrons into said discharge gap region by means of photoemission and bulk gas ionization processes, said electrode assembly being so arranged and constructed that said gas flow is substantially laminar to sustain a uniform an homogeneous discharge in said discharge gap region, and pulsing means operatively connected to said electrode assembly to supply energy to said discharge volume for sustaining a glow discharge and to control said discharge initiation means for supplying electrons to said discharge gap region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A high pressure pulsed gas laser apparatus having an optical cavity and an envelope volume substantially enclosing the optical cavity, comprising: an electrode assembly positioned within said envelope volume including first and second electrodes arranged in a substantially uniform field configuration and defining a discharge gap region therebetween, means for flowing a laser gas at high pressure through a first portion of said envelope volume including said discharge gap region in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of said optical cavity, said electrode assembly further including discharge initiation means adjacent said first and second electrodes in a second portion of said envelope volume for supplying initiatory electrons into said discharge gap region by means of photoemission and bulk gas ionization processes, said electrode assembly being so arranged and constructed that said gas flow is substantially laminar to sustain a uniform an homogeneous discharge in said discharge gap region, and pulsing means operatively connected to said electrode assembly to supply energy to said discharge volume for sustaining a glow discharge and to control said discharge initiation means for supplying electrons to said discharge gap region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The high pressure gas laser apparatus of claim 1 wherein said discharge initiation means includes an ultraviolet lamp so positioned within said envelope to irradiate a surface of said first electrode for generating electrons.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The high pressure gas laser apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second electrode has a concave surface portion spanned by a planar mesh screen and wherein said ultraviolet lamp is positioned between said concave surface portion and said planar mesh screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
A high pressure pulsed gas laser apparatus having an optical cavity and an envelope volume substantially enclosing the optical cavity, comprising: an electrode assembly positioned within said envelope volume including first and second electrodes, said first and second electrodes including mesh portions which are substantially planar and parallel to one another and defining a discharge gap region therebetween, means for flowing a laser gas through said mesh portions of said first and second electrodes, said flow being substantially perpendicular to said mesh portions, said electrode assembly further including discharge initiation means adjacent said first and second electrodes for supplying initiatory electrons into said discharge gap region by means of photoemission and bulk gas ionization processes, and means operatively connected to said electrode assembly to supply energy to said discharge volume for sustaining a glow discharge and to control said discharge initiation means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
A high pressure pulsed gas laser apparatus having an optical cavity and an envelope volume substantially enclosing the optical cavity, comprising: an electrode assembly positioned within said envelope volume including first and second electrodes, said first and second electrodes including mesh portions which are substantially planar and parallel to one another and defining a discharge gap region therebetween, means for flowing a laser gas through said mesh portions of said first and second electrodes, said flow being substantially perpendicular to said mesh portions, said electrode assembly further including discharge initiation means adjacent said first and second electrodes for supplying initiatory electrons into said discharge gap region by means of photoemission and bulk gas ionization processes, and means operatively connected to said electrode assembly to supply energy to said discharge volume for sustaining a glow discharge and to control said discharge initiation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The high pressure gas laser apparatus of claim 4 wherein said discharge initiation means includes a first and second ultraviolet lamp so positioned in said first portion of said optical cavity to irradiate a surface of said first electrode for causing photoemission of electrons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
207 words
A high pressure pulsed gas laser apparatus having an optical cavity and an envelope volume substantially enclosing the optical cavity, comprising: an electrode assembly positioned within said envelope volume including first and second electrodes arranged in a substantially uniform field configuration and defining a discharge gap region therebetween, means for flowing a laser gas through a first portion of said envelope volume including said discharge gap region in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of said optical cavity, said electrode assembly further including discharge initiation means adjacent said first and second electrodes in a second portion of said envelope volume for supplying the initiatory electrons into said discharge gas region, pulsing means operatively connected to said electrode assembly to supply energy to said discharge volume for sustaining a glow discharge and to control said discharge initiation means for supplying electrons to said discharge gap region, said discharge initiation means including at least one rutile slab electrode pair positioned contiguous to said second electrode for producing corona discharges when pulsed by said pulsing means to irradiate said first electrode with ultraviolet radiation, said electrode assembly being so arranged and constructed that said gas flow is substantially laminar to sustain a uniform discharge in said discharge gap region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
207 words
A high pressure pulsed gas laser apparatus having an optical cavity and an envelope volume substantially enclosing the optical cavity, comprising: an electrode assembly positioned within said envelope volume including first and second electrodes arranged in a substantially uniform field configuration and defining a discharge gap region therebetween, means for flowing a laser gas through a first portion of said envelope volume including said discharge gap region in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of said optical cavity, said electrode assembly further including discharge initiation means adjacent said first and second electrodes in a second portion of said envelope volume for supplying the initiatory electrons into said discharge gas region, pulsing means operatively connected to said electrode assembly to supply energy to said discharge volume for sustaining a glow discharge and to control said discharge initiation means for supplying electrons to said discharge gap region, said discharge initiation means including at least one rutile slab electrode pair positioned contiguous to said second electrode for producing corona discharges when pulsed by said pulsing means to irradiate said first electrode with ultraviolet radiation, said electrode assembly being so arranged and constructed that said gas flow is substantially laminar to sustain a uniform discharge in said discharge gap region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
184 words
A high pressure pulse gas laser apparatus having an optical cavity and an envelope volume substantially enclosing the optical cavity, comprising: an electrode assembly positioned within said envelope volume including first and second electrodes arranged in a substantially uniform field configuration and defining a discharge gap region therebetween, means for flowing a laser gas through a first portion of said envelope volume including said discharge gap region in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of said optical cavity, said electrode assembly further including discharge initiation means adjacent said first and second electrodes in a second portion of said envelope volume for supplying initiatory electrons into said discharge gap region, said first and second electrodes being profiled in a tapered nozzle-like configuration to enhance rapid laminar flow through the discharge volume and wherein said discharge initiation means is located adjacent the broadest cross section of said tapered nozzle-like configuration, and means operatively connected to said electrode assembly to supply energy to said discharge volume for sustaining a glow discharge and to control said discharge initiation means for supplying electrons to said discharge gap region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
184 words
A high pressure pulse gas laser apparatus having an optical cavity and an envelope volume substantially enclosing the optical cavity, comprising: an electrode assembly positioned within said envelope volume including first and second electrodes arranged in a substantially uniform field configuration and defining a discharge gap region therebetween, means for flowing a laser gas through a first portion of said envelope volume including said discharge gap region in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of said optical cavity, said electrode assembly further including discharge initiation means adjacent said first and second electrodes in a second portion of said envelope volume for supplying initiatory electrons into said discharge gap region, said first and second electrodes being profiled in a tapered nozzle-like configuration to enhance rapid laminar flow through the discharge volume and wherein said discharge initiation means is located adjacent the broadest cross section of said tapered nozzle-like configuration, and means operatively connected to said electrode assembly to supply energy to said discharge volume for sustaining a glow discharge and to control said discharge initiation means for supplying electrons to said discharge gap region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The high pressure gas laser apparatus of claim 7 wherein said discharge initiation means includes a rutile slab electrode pair for generating a corona discharge to irradiate a surface of said first electrode with ultraviolet radiation for generating electrons.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3886479A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-19 | 1981-06-20 | 1981-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-19 | 1985-06-20 | 1985-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-19 | 1989-06-20 | 1989-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |