US4612646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser utilizing a gaseous lasing medium and method for operating the same
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1983-10-18
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Granted: 1986-09-16
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Expires: 2003-10-18
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an improvement in gas lasers and a method of operating the same. In one aspect, the invention is an improved method for operating a high-power gas laser. The improvement comprises introducing the gas lasing medium tangentially to the laser tube at a pressure establishing a forced vortex in the tube. The vortex defines an axially extending core region characterized by a low pressure and temperature relative to the gas inlet and the exterior of the vortex. An electrical discharge is established in the core region to initiate lasing of the gas. The gas discharge from the tube is passed through a diffuser. As in conventional gas lasers, firing results in a very abrupt increase in gas temperature and in severe disruption of the gas. However, the gas vortex almost immediately restores the gas to its pre-firing condition. That is, almost all of the waste heat is transferred radially to the laser wall, and the original gas-flow pattern is restored. As a result, the power output of the laser is increased significantly, and the laser firing repetition rate is markedly increased.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce A. Zerr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/04; H01S3/041; H01S3/03; H01S3/036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
In a method for operating a laser wherein a gaseous medium is made to lase while passing through a laser tube, the improvement comprising: introducing said gaseous medium tangentially into said laser tube to establish a forced vortex therein having a central core region of low pressure and temperature relative to the periphery of said vortex; and initiating lasing of said gaseous medium in said core region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a method for operating a laser wherein a gaseous medium is made to lase while passing through a laser tube, the improvement comprising: introducing said gaseous medium tangentially into said laser tube to establish a forced vortex therein having a central core region of low pressure and temperature relative to the periphery of said vortex; and initiating lasing of said gaseous medium in said core region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said initiating step comprises establishing an electrical discharge in said core region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure ratio across said tube is in the range from about 1.5:1 to 4:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the length-to-diameter ratio of said tube is in the range from about 1.5:1 to 5:1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said medium is monatomic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said medium is polyatomic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a method for operating a laser wherein a gaseous medium is made to lase while passing through a laser tube, the improvement comprising: introducing said medium tangentially to said tube at a pressure to establish therein a forced vortex flow of said medium which defines an axially extending core region having a low pressure and temperature relative to the periphery of said vortex, establishing an electrical discharge in said core region to initiate lasing of said medium, and discharging said medium from said tube through a diffuser to further lower the temperature of said medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a method for operating a laser wherein a gaseous medium is made to lase while passing through a laser tube, the improvement comprising: introducing said medium tangentially to said tube at a pressure to establish therein a forced vortex flow of said medium which defines an axially extending core region having a low pressure and temperature relative to the periphery of said vortex, establishing an electrical discharge in said core region to initiate lasing of said medium, and discharging said medium from said tube through a diffuser to further lower the temperature of said medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the pressure ratio across said tube is in the range from about 1.5:1 to 4:1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the length-to-diameter ratio of said tube is in the range from about 1.5:1 to 5:1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said medium is selected from the group consisting of monatomic and polyatomic gases and vapors and mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a gas-laser system: a laser tube of circular cross section, said tube being provided with inlet means for tangentially introducing a gaseous lasing medium therein; diffuser means connected to said tube for conveying the tangentially introduced gas from said tube to an outlet of said diffuser; compressor means for receiving said medium from said diffuser outlet and recycling said medium to said inlet means at a pressure sufficient to establish forced-vortex flow of said medium in said tube to produce an axially extending core region of said medium having a low pressure and temperature relative to the periphery of said medium; and means for initiating lasing of said medium in said core region extending between said inlet means and diffuser means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a gas-laser system: a laser tube of circular cross section, said tube being provided with inlet means for tangentially introducing a gaseous lasing medium therein; diffuser means connected to said tube for conveying the tangentially introduced gas from said tube to an outlet of said diffuser; compressor means for receiving said medium from said diffuser outlet and recycling said medium to said inlet means at a pressure sufficient to establish forced-vortex flow of said medium in said tube to produce an axially extending core region of said medium having a low pressure and temperature relative to the periphery of said medium; and means for initiating lasing of said medium in said core region extending between said inlet means and diffuser means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 11 wherein a means for cooling said medium is connected in series with said compressor and between said diffuser means and inlet means.
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) | 1989-09-15 | 1990-03-17 | 1990-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-15 | 1994-03-17 | 1994-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-15 | 1998-03-17 | 1998-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |