US4719639A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carbon dioxide slab laser
Assignee: BOREAL LASER Inc
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Filing: 1987-01-08
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Granted: 1988-01-12
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Expires: 2007-01-08
Abstract
Abstract A carbon dioxide slab laser includes a pair of cooled metal electrodes disposed to form a gap of less than about 3 millimeters. The electrode surfaces on either side of the gap are polished and highly reflectant. A radio frequency discharge is provided between the electrodes to pass through gas disposed in the gap which is suitable for laser action. Cooling of the gases between the electrodes is achieved by conduction to the metal surfaces of the electrodes. Contrary to conventional flowing gas lasers, the two electrodes both reflect and guide the laser light and serve to cool the gas by conduction.
Inventors
- 👤 John Tulip
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/0315; H01S3/14; H01S3/22; H01S3/223; H01S3/2232
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A gas slab laser comprising: first and second elongated electrodes each including a planar light reflecting surface disposed so as to form a light guide only in a plane perpendicular to the said planar surface and to define a gas discharge gap therebetween; a laser gas disposed in said gap; and means for applying a radio frequency current between said first and second electrodes to establish a laser-exciting discharge in said laser gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A gas slab laser comprising: first and second elongated electrodes each including a planar light reflecting surface disposed so as to form a light guide only in a plane perpendicular to the said planar surface and to define a gas discharge gap therebetween; a laser gas disposed in said gap; and means for applying a radio frequency current between said first and second electrodes to establish a laser-exciting discharge in said laser gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The slab laser of claim 1 wherein the distance between said planar surfaces is about 5 millimeters or less.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The slab laser of claim 1 wherein said gap is about 3 centimeters wide, about 30 centimeters in length and about 2.00 millimeters in depth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The slab laser of claim 1 wherein said laser gas is at a pressure ranging from about 10 millibars to about 400 millibars.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The slab laser of claim 1 wherein said laser gas consists of a mixture of CO 2 , He and N 2 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The slab laser of claim 1 wherein said current is applied at a frequency ranging from about 10 megahertz to about 200 megahertz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The slab laser of claim 1 further including means for cooling said electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The slab laser of claim 1 further including laser resonator positioned at opposite ends of said gap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The slab laser of claim 8 wherein said laser resonator is a stable resonator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The slab laser of claim 9 wherein the said stable laser resonator includes a concave totally reflective light reflector at one end of said gap and a plane partially transparent light reflector at the other end of the said gap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The slab laser of claim 8 wherein said laser resonator is an unstable resonator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The slab laser of claim 11 wherein said unstable laser resonator is of the confocal type and includes a concave total reflector at one end of said gap and a convex total reflector at the other end of said gap.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The slab laser of claim 1 where said electrodes are electrically conducting.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The slab laser of claim 1 wherein said electrodes are composed of dielectric material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3970961A
Cited
US4646313A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-11 | 1991-07-13 | 1992-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-11 | 1995-07-13 | 1996-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-11 | 1999-07-13 | 2000-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |