US4417340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing discharge in gas laser at low voltage
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1981-04-03
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Granted: 1983-11-22
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Expires: 2001-04-03
Abstract
Abstract In a gas laser in which a mixture of gases is excited under the influence of an electric field, a first constituent gas of the mixture is introduced into a laser tube to allow a discharge to occur in the introduced gas at predetermined partial pressure. A second constituent gas of the mixture is then introduced into the laser tube until the combined gases reach the normally operating pressure of the mixture to allow a discharge to occur in the later introduced gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoya Horiuchi
- 👤 Takafumi Ohhara
- 👤 Reiji Sano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for ionizing a mixture of first and second constituent gases in a laser tube under the influence of an electric field, comprising the steps of: introducing the first constituent gas having a first ionization voltage into said tube until a predetermined partial pressure is reached to cause said first constituent gas to ionize under the influence of said field; detecting an occurrence of ionization of the first constituent gas in the laser tube, and, in response; introducing the second constituent gas having a second ionization voltage higher than the first ionization voltage into said tube until a normal operating pressure of the mixture is reached to allow the second constituent gas to ionize.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for ionizing a mixture of first and second constituent gases in a laser tube under the influence of an electric field, comprising the steps of: introducing the first constituent gas having a first ionization voltage into said tube until a predetermined partial pressure is reached to cause said first constituent gas to ionize under the influence of said field; detecting an occurrence of ionization of the first constituent gas in the laser tube, and, in response; introducing the second constituent gas having a second ionization voltage higher than the first ionization voltage into said tube until a normal operating pressure of the mixture is reached to allow the second constituent gas to ionize.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partial pressure of said first constituent gas is higher than the partial pressure of said second constituent gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture of gases comprises CO 2 , N 2 and He, and wherein said first constituent gas is He or a mixture of He and N 2 and said second constituent gas is CO 2 , N 2 or a mixture thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of introducing said second constituent gas comprises the steps of: detecting a current generated as a result of said discharge in said first constituent gas; and gradually introducing said second constituent gas into said tube in response to the detection of said current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
A gas laser system comprising: a laser tube having a pair of electrodes connectable to a voltage source to generate an electric field thereacross; a first gas supply source containing a first constituent gas of a mixture having a first ionization voltage; a second gas supply source containing a second constituent gas of the mixture having a second ionization voltage higher than the first ionization voltage; means for detecting an occurrence of ionization in said laser tube; and means for introducing the first gas from the first source into said laser tube until a predetermined partial pressure is reached to cause the first gas to ionize under the influence of the electric field and thereafter in response to said detecting means introducing into the laser tube the second gas from the second source until a normal operating pressure of the mixture is reached.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
A gas laser system comprising: a laser tube having a pair of electrodes connectable to a voltage source to generate an electric field thereacross; a first gas supply source containing a first constituent gas of a mixture having a first ionization voltage; a second gas supply source containing a second constituent gas of the mixture having a second ionization voltage higher than the first ionization voltage; means for detecting an occurrence of ionization in said laser tube; and means for introducing the first gas from the first source into said laser tube until a predetermined partial pressure is reached to cause the first gas to ionize under the influence of the electric field and thereafter in response to said detecting means introducing into the laser tube the second gas from the second source until a normal operating pressure of the mixture is reached.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A gas laser system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said detecting means comprises a current detector connected in a circuit between said voltage source and one of said electrodes for detecting a current generated as a result of the ionization of said first gas in said laser tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A gas laser system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the partial pressure of said first constituent gas is higher than the partial pressure of said second constituent gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gas laser system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first constituent gas comprises He and said second constituent gas comprises one of CO 2 and N 2 or a mixture thereof.
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) | 1986-11-21 | 1987-05-23 | 1987-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-21 | 1991-05-23 | 1991-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-21 | 1995-05-23 | 1995-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |