High efficiency transversely excited electrodeless gas lasers

Claim 1

A dielectric coupling for excitation of transversely excited electrodeless gas laser to provide a highly efficient gas laser, said coupling comprising: an elongated body of dielectric material enclosing a laser gas medium confined in a circular cylindrical volume that forms an optical mode volume through the length of said elongated body of dielectric material, said elongated body of dielectric material having outward extensions along its length in diametrically opposite directions; and two concave metal conductors made of a conducting material fitted against opposite sides of said elongated body of dielectric material along the length thereof and in quadrature with said outward extensions, said two concave metal conductors connected to a high voltage at a switchable high voltage terminal whereby high voltage applied to said two concave metal conductors causes space charge build up at the edges of the dielectric material in contact with said laser gas medium to provide excitation of said laser gas medium, said extensions extending a distance outward of said body and along said body sufficient to prevent stray electrical current leakage between said concave metal conductors.