US4233568A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser tube mirror assembly
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1975-02-24
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Granted: 1980-11-11
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Expires: 1995-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A laser tube end assembly which comprises a laser mirror sealed to each end of the laser tube, the seal withstanding the relatively high temperatures utilized to remove contaminants from the laser tube during fabrication thereof, the sealant also minimizing gas permeation therethrough during laser tube utilization. The assembly is fabricated by first preparing an apertured recessed metal flange member. A slurry, comprising a glass frit and carrier, is introduced into the metal flange member and allowed to dry. The metal flange member is placed in a first portion of a fixture and a glass substrate having a reflecting layer coated thereon is positioned adjacent the flange member recess with the reflecting layer being at least coextensive with the aperture. The weighted second portion of the fixture contacts the non-reflecting side of the glass substrate to ensure that the glass substrate reflecting layer is in contact with the surface of the metal flange member via the dried slurry. The fixture is placed in an oven, the temperature thereof being increased to the fritting temperature of the glass frit for a predetermined time period, the oven thereafter being slowly cooled. The glass substrate is now hard-sealed to the metal flange member, forming the aforementioned assembly, the assembly being joined to a mating flange formed on the laser tube. The reflecting layer is selected to withstand the fritting temperatures with minimal optical and mechanical changes and the glass substrate is selected to retain its mechanical dimension during and after thermal cycling to the fritting temperatures. The glass substrate, the sealant mixture and the metal flange member are selected to have closely matched coefficients of thermal expansion to minimize seal leakage during laser tube operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Randolph W. Hamerdinger
- 👤 Robert C. McQuillan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:06
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08059; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/034
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An internal mirror type laser tube having an active medium contained in an elongated envelope and means for mounting a mirror to each end of the envelope, said mounting means comprising a metal member having an aperture formed therein, a mirror comprising a glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, and bonding means comprising a glass solder for bonding said glass substrate to said metal member in a manner whereby said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture, the glass substrate, bonding means and the metal member having co-efficients of thermal expansion which are substantially equal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An internal mirror type laser tube having an active medium contained in an elongated envelope and means for mounting a mirror to each end of the envelope, said mounting means comprising a metal member having an aperture formed therein, a mirror comprising a glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, and bonding means comprising a glass solder for bonding said glass substrate to said metal member in a manner whereby said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture, the glass substrate, bonding means and the metal member having co-efficients of thermal expansion which are substantially equal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The laser tube as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflecting layer overlies said aperture, the surface area of said reflecting layer being at least equal to the area of said aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The laser tube as defined in claim 2 wherein a metal flange member is bonded to each end of the envelope, a metal member being joined to each flange member thereby forming a hermetically sealed laser tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The laser tube as defined in claim 3 further including means for exciting an electrical discharge in said active medium to produce a beam of coherent light, one of said mirrors having a reflecting layer which reflects coherent light incident thereon, thereby forming one end of an optical resonator, the other of said mirrors having a partially reflecting layer thereon which forms the other end of the optical resonator and the optical output element for the coherent light beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laser tube as defined in claim 1 wherein said glass substrate is external to said sealed laser tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The laser tube as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflecting layer comprises a material which is capable of withstanding the bakeout temperatures of the tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The laser tube as defined in claim 6 wherein said reflecting layer comprises alternate layers of materials selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, zirconia, cerium oxide, silicon dioxide, magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, indium oxide, tin oxide, lithium fluoride, sodium fluoride, cryolite and thoria.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laser tube as defined in claim 7 wherein said alternate layers comprise titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The laser tube as defined in claim 1 wherein said metal member comprises a metal alloy of nickel and iron and said glass substrate comprises a soft glass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
A member for mounting a mirror to the ends of an internal mirror type laser tube envelope having an active medium therein, said mounting member comprising a metal member having an aperture formed therein, a mirror comprising a glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, and bonding means comprising a glass solder for bonding said glass substrate to said metal member in a manner whereby said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture, the glass substrate, bonding means and the metal member having coefficients of thermal expansion which are substantially equal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
A member for mounting a mirror to the ends of an internal mirror type laser tube envelope having an active medium therein, said mounting member comprising a metal member having an aperture formed therein, a mirror comprising a glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, and bonding means comprising a glass solder for bonding said glass substrate to said metal member in a manner whereby said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture, the glass substrate, bonding means and the metal member having coefficients of thermal expansion which are substantially equal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mounting member as defined in claim 10 wherein said reflecting layer overlies said aperture, the surface area of said reflecting layer being at least equal to the area of said aperture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mounting member as defined in claim 11 wherein a metal flange member is bonded to each end of the envelope, a metal member being joined to each flange member thereby forming a hermetically sealed laser tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
The mounting member as defined in claim 12 further including means for exciting an electrical discharge in said active medium to produce a beam of coherent light, one of said mirrors having a reflecting layer which reflects coherent light incident thereon, thereby forming one end of an optical resonator, the other of said mirrors having a partially reflecting layer thereon which forms the other end of the optical resonator and the optical output element for the coherent light beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mounting member as defined in claim 10 wherein said reflecting layer comprises a material which is capable of withstanding the bakeout temperatures of the laser tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The mounting member as defined in claim 14 wherein said reflecting layer comprises alternate layers of materials selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, zirconia, cerium oxide, silicon dioxide, magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, indium oxide, tin oxide, lithium fluoride, sodium fluoride, cryolite and thoria.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mounting member as defined in claim 15 wherein said alternate layers comprise titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mounting member as defined in claim 10 wherein said metal member comprises a metal alloy of nickel and iron and said glass substrate comprises a soft glass.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for forming a hard sealed mirror assembly and mounting the formed assembly to at least one end of an internal type laser tube having an elongated envelope with a metal flange member joined to at least one end thereof comprising the steps of: providing a recessed metal member having an aperture formed therein, preparing a slurry comprising a glass solder and carrier, introducing the slurry into the recessed portion of said recessed metal member, forming a mirror assembly by placing a mirror element in the recessed portion of said recessed metal member, the mirror element comprising a glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, the mirror element being positioned in said recessed metal member so that said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture, heating said mirror assembly to the sealing temperature of the glass solder to form a glass seal between the mirror element and the recessed metal member, cooling the mirror assembly at a predetermimed rate whereby the mirror element is hard sealed to the recessed metal member, and mounting said mirror assembly to the metal flange member joined to the end of the envelope.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for forming a hard sealed mirror assembly and mounting the formed assembly to at least one end of an internal type laser tube having an elongated envelope with a metal flange member joined to at least one end thereof comprising the steps of: providing a recessed metal member having an aperture formed therein, preparing a slurry comprising a glass solder and carrier, introducing the slurry into the recessed portion of said recessed metal member, forming a mirror assembly by placing a mirror element in the recessed portion of said recessed metal member, the mirror element comprising a glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, the mirror element being positioned in said recessed metal member so that said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture, heating said mirror assembly to the sealing temperature of the glass solder to form a glass seal between the mirror element and the recessed metal member, cooling the mirror assembly at a predetermimed rate whereby the mirror element is hard sealed to the recessed metal member, and mounting said mirror assembly to the metal flange member joined to the end of the envelope.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined in claim 18 further including the step of applying a force to the other surface of the glass substrate during the heating of the mirror assembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined in claim 19 further including the step of drying the slurry after it is introduced into the recessed portion of the metal member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as defined in claim 20 further including the steps of placing a stop member in said aperture prior to introducing the slurry into the recessed portion of the metal member and removing the stop member after the slurry is dried.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
167 words
An internal mirror type laser tube having an active medium contained in an elongated envelope and means for mounting a mirror to each end of the envelope, said mounting means comprising a recessed metal member formed of a metal alloy of nickel and iron and having an aperture formed therein, a mirror comprising a soft glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, said reflecting layer comprising a material which is capable of withstanding the bakeout temperature of the tube, and bonding means comprising a glass solder for bonding said glass substrate to said recessed metal member in a manner whereby said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture, the glass substrate, bonding means and the recessed metal member having coefficients of thermal expansion which are substantially equal, said recessed metal member having a series of internal concentric step-like portions of decreasing diameter, the aperture being formed in the smallest diameter step, the reflecting layer surface of said soft glass substrate being aligned therewith.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
167 words
An internal mirror type laser tube having an active medium contained in an elongated envelope and means for mounting a mirror to each end of the envelope, said mounting means comprising a recessed metal member formed of a metal alloy of nickel and iron and having an aperture formed therein, a mirror comprising a soft glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, said reflecting layer comprising a material which is capable of withstanding the bakeout temperature of the tube, and bonding means comprising a glass solder for bonding said glass substrate to said recessed metal member in a manner whereby said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture, the glass substrate, bonding means and the recessed metal member having coefficients of thermal expansion which are substantially equal, said recessed metal member having a series of internal concentric step-like portions of decreasing diameter, the aperture being formed in the smallest diameter step, the reflecting layer surface of said soft glass substrate being aligned therewith.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
159 words
A member for mounting a mirror to the ends of an internal mirror type laser tube envelope having an active medium therein, said mounting member comprising a recessed metal member comprising a metal alloy of nickel and iron having a series of internal concentric step-like portions of decreasing diameter, an aperture being formed in the smallest diameter step, a mirror comprising a soft glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, said reflecting layer comprising a material which is capable of withstanding the bakeout temperatures of the laser tube, said reflecting layer surface being supported by the smallest diameter step of said recessed metal member, and bonding means for bonding said glass substrate to said recessed metal member in a manner whereby said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture, said bonding means comprising a glass solder, the glass substrate, bonding means and the recessed metal member having coefficients of thermal expansion which are substantially equal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
159 words
A member for mounting a mirror to the ends of an internal mirror type laser tube envelope having an active medium therein, said mounting member comprising a recessed metal member comprising a metal alloy of nickel and iron having a series of internal concentric step-like portions of decreasing diameter, an aperture being formed in the smallest diameter step, a mirror comprising a soft glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, said reflecting layer comprising a material which is capable of withstanding the bakeout temperatures of the laser tube, said reflecting layer surface being supported by the smallest diameter step of said recessed metal member, and bonding means for bonding said glass substrate to said recessed metal member in a manner whereby said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture, said bonding means comprising a glass solder, the glass substrate, bonding means and the recessed metal member having coefficients of thermal expansion which are substantially equal.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
284 words
A method for forming a hard sealed mirror assembly and mounting the formed assembly to at least one end of an internal type laser tube having an elongated envelope with a metal flange member joined to at least one end thereof comprising the steps of: providing a recessed metal member having an aperture formed therein, said metal member having a series of internal concentric step-like portions of decreasing diameter, the aperture being formed in the smallest diameter step, said metal member comprising a metal alloy of nickel and iron, preparing a slurry comprising a glass solder and carrier, introducing the slurry into the recessed portion of said recessed metal member, forming a mirror assembly by placing a mirror element in the recessed portion of said recessed metal member, the mirror element comprising a soft glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, said reflecting layer comprising a material which is capable of withstanding the bakeout temperatures of the tube, the mirror element being supported by the smallest diameter step in said recessed metal member so that said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture the surface area of said reflecting layer being at least equal to the area of said aperture, heating said mirror assembly to the sealing temperature of the glass solder to form a glass seal between the mirror element and the recessed metal member, cooling the mirror assembly at a predetermined rate whereby the mirror element is hard sealed to the recessed metal member, mounting said mirror assembly to the metal flange member joined to the end of the envelope, and subjecting the laser tube to its bakeout temperature to remove substantially all of the contaminants contained therein.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
284 words
A method for forming a hard sealed mirror assembly and mounting the formed assembly to at least one end of an internal type laser tube having an elongated envelope with a metal flange member joined to at least one end thereof comprising the steps of: providing a recessed metal member having an aperture formed therein, said metal member having a series of internal concentric step-like portions of decreasing diameter, the aperture being formed in the smallest diameter step, said metal member comprising a metal alloy of nickel and iron, preparing a slurry comprising a glass solder and carrier, introducing the slurry into the recessed portion of said recessed metal member, forming a mirror assembly by placing a mirror element in the recessed portion of said recessed metal member, the mirror element comprising a soft glass substrate having a reflecting layer formed on one surface thereof, said reflecting layer comprising a material which is capable of withstanding the bakeout temperatures of the tube, the mirror element being supported by the smallest diameter step in said recessed metal member so that said reflecting layer is aligned with said aperture the surface area of said reflecting layer being at least equal to the area of said aperture, heating said mirror assembly to the sealing temperature of the glass solder to form a glass seal between the mirror element and the recessed metal member, cooling the mirror assembly at a predetermined rate whereby the mirror element is hard sealed to the recessed metal member, mounting said mirror assembly to the metal flange member joined to the end of the envelope, and subjecting the laser tube to its bakeout temperature to remove substantially all of the contaminants contained therein.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
130 words
A gas laser tube comprising: (a) a gas-tight envelope having a longitudinal portion with opposite open ends; (b) metal end members sealing said open ends of said envelope portion, each of said end members having an aperture therethrough; (c) a capillary bore member disposed within said envelope portion and having a longitudinal bore aligned with said apertures through said end members; (d) a different reflecting means bonded to each one of said end members and sealing each said aperture therethrough; said reflecting means forming an optical resonant cavity with said bore; at least one of said reflecting means being partially transparent for passage of an output laser beam; (e) a laser gas within said envelope, and (f) electrode means within said envelope for providing a gaseous discharge through said bore.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
130 words
A gas laser tube comprising: (a) a gas-tight envelope having a longitudinal portion with opposite open ends; (b) metal end members sealing said open ends of said envelope portion, each of said end members having an aperture therethrough; (c) a capillary bore member disposed within said envelope portion and having a longitudinal bore aligned with said apertures through said end members; (d) a different reflecting means bonded to each one of said end members and sealing each said aperture therethrough; said reflecting means forming an optical resonant cavity with said bore; at least one of said reflecting means being partially transparent for passage of an output laser beam; (e) a laser gas within said envelope, and (f) electrode means within said envelope for providing a gaseous discharge through said bore.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas laser tube of claim 25, wherein said capillary bore member is made of glass.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The glass laser tube of claim 25, wherein each of said end members has a flanged portion external to said envelope.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The gas laser tube of claim 25, wherein said envelope portion is made of glass.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gas laser tube of claim 25, wherein said gas is a mixture of helium and neon.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
The gas laser tube of claim 25, wherein said envelope portion is cylindrical, said capillary bore tube being mounted within said envelope with said bore coaxial with said cylindrical envelope portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-11 | 1984-05-12 | 1984-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-11 | 1988-05-12 | 1988-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-11 | 1992-05-12 | 1992-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |