Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
In a lateral excitation type gas laser device, comprising: anode means and cathode means arranged opposed to each other, a gap being formed therebetween; means for providing a flow of laser gas between said anode means and cathode means; a high voltage DC source for applying a high DC voltage for causing a glow discharge between said anode and cathode means; a dielectric electrode disposed in said flow of laser gas upstream of said anode and cathode means in said flow of laser gas; and a high voltage high frequency source for applying a high frequency high voltage for causing a silent discharge between said dielectric electrode and said anode and cathode means, the improvement wherein said dielectric electrode has a diameter defined by: 3mm<D<d/2 where D is the diameter of said dielectric electrode and d is the length of the gap between said anode and cathode means, and wherein said dielectric electrode is disposed in a region defined by: 0≦l.sub.1 ≦2d, and 0≦l.sub.2 ≦d where l 1 is the distance in the direction of laser gas flow between said dielectric electrode and said cathode means, and l 2 is the distance between said dielectric electrode and said anode means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
In a lateral excitation type gas laser device, comprising: anode means and cathode means arranged opposed to each other, a gap being formed therebetween; means for providing a flow of laser gas between said anode means and cathode means; a high voltage DC source for applying a high DC voltage for causing a glow discharge between said anode and cathode means; a dielectric electrode disposed in said flow of laser gas upstream of said anode and cathode means in said flow of laser gas; and a high voltage high frequency source for applying a high frequency high voltage for causing a silent discharge between said dielectric electrode and said anode and cathode means, the improvement wherein said dielectric electrode has a diameter defined by: 3mm<D<d/2 where D is the diameter of said dielectric electrode and d is the length of the gap between said anode and cathode means, and wherein said dielectric electrode is disposed in a region defined by: 0≦l.sub.1 ≦2d, and 0≦l.sub.2 ≦d where l 1 is the distance in the direction of laser gas flow between said dielectric electrode and said cathode means, and l 2 is the distance between said dielectric electrode and said anode means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frequency of said high frequency high voltage applied to said dielectric electrode is in a range of 1 KHz to 1 MHz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a power of a silent discharge caused between said dielectric electrode and said anode and cathode means is 10% or less of that of a laser excitation discharge between said anode and cathode means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dielectric electrode is in the form of a cylindrical pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein cooling distilled water flows through said dielectric electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said dielectric electrode is an iron pipe lined with glass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said dielectric electrode is a glass pipe on the inside of which a thin metal wire is laid for applying said high frequency high voltage to said dielectric electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cathode means comprises a plurality of split electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plurality of split electrodes are spaced apart at intervals of about 10 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of split electrodes are connected through respective stabilizing resistors to said high voltage DC source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said laser gas flows at a rate of 20 to 100 m/sec.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said laser gas is a mixture of CO 2 , CO, N 2 and He.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a resonator comprising a total reflecting mirror and a partially reflecting mirror arranged opposed to one another with said anode means and said cathode means therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a closed housing containing said anode means, said cathode means, said dielectric means and said resonator, laser gas being circulated in said housing.