Dielectric ridge waveguide gas laser apparatus

Claim 2

A dielectric ridged waveguide flowing gas laser apparatus comprising in combination: a dielectric substrate having a predetermined number of grooves formed thereon, said grooves extending along the longitudinal axis of said dielectric substrate, an electrically conductive member in parallel alignment with the grooved side of said dielectric substrate such that an air gap is formed therebetween said air gap containing an active laser gas medium, electrically conductive strips disposed on the outside of said dielectric substrate forming electrodes, said conductive strips being aligned with said grooves and having the same length and width as said grooves, and an excitation source connected between said conductive member and said conductive strips, to provide lasing in said ridged waveguide.

Claim 3

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said grooves are semi-circular.

Claim 4

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said grooves are rectangular.

Claim 5

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said excitation source is an RF generator.

Claim 6

A dielectric ridged waveguide flowing gas laser apparatus comprising in combination: a first dielectric substrate with a predetermined number of grooves formed therein, a second dielectric substrate with a predetermined number of grooves formed therein, said first dielectric substrate and said second dielectric substrate being positioned to form an air gap between their respective grooved surfaces, said grooves of said first dielectric substrate being aligned with said grooves of said second dielectric substrate, said air gap containing an active laser gas medium, conductive strips respectively positioned on the outside surfaces of said first dielectric substrate and said second dielectric substrate, said conductive strips respectively aligned with said grooves of said first dielectric substrate and said second dielectric substrate, said conductive strips having the same length and width dimensions as their corresponding grooves, and an excitation source connected between corresponding conductive strips that are located on opposite sides of said first dielectric substrate and said second dielectric substrate, said excitation source energizing said conductive strips to produce a discharge in said laser gas medium thereby providing lasing in said ridged waveguide.

Claim 7

A dielectric ridged waveguide flowing gas laser apparatus comprising in combination: a first dielectric substrate with a predetermined number of grooves formed therein, a second dielectric substrate with a predetermined number of grooves formed therein, said first dielectric substrate and said second dielectric substrate being positioned to form an air gap between their respective grooved surfaces, said grooves of said first dielectric substrate being aligned with said grooves of said second dielectric substrate, said air gap containing an active laser gas medium, conductive strips respectively positioned on the outside surfaces of said first dielectric substrate and said second dielectric substrate, said conductive strips respectively aligned with said grooves of said first dielectric substrate and said second dielectric substrate, said conductive strips having the same length and width dimensions as their corresponding grooves, and an excitation source connected between corresponding conductive strips that are located on opposite sides of said first dielectric substrate and said second dielectric substrate, said excitation source energizing said conductive strips to produce a discharge in said laser gas medium thereby providing lasing in said ridged waveguide.

Claim 8

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said grooves are semi-circular.

Claim 9

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said grooves are rectangular.

Claim 10

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said excitation source is an RF generator.

Claim 11

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 8 further including means for creating a magnetic field, said magnetic field means establishing a fringing magnetic field in the maximum gap region between said first and second dielectric substrates.

Claim 12

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said magnetic field means comprises a predetermined number of permanent magnets.

Claim 13

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said magnetic field means comprises means for an electromagnet.

Claim 14

A dielectric ridged waveguide flowing gas laser apparatus comprising in combination: a dielectric substrate with a predetermined number of grooves formed therein, said grooves extending along the longitudinal axis of said dielectric substrate, a cylindrical member having an inner diameter such that said dielectric substrate conforms to the inner surface of said cylindrical member, said grooves of said dielectric substrate extending along the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical member and radially inward toward the central axis of said cylindrical member, a conductive member centered about and extending along said central axis of said cylindrical member to form an air gap therebetween, said air gap containing an active laser gas medium, and an excitation source connected between said conductive member and said cylindrical member, said cylindrical member being conductive, said excitation source producing a discharge in said laser gas medium thereby providing lasing in said ridged waveguide to generate laser oscillations.

Claim 15

A dielectric ridged waveguide flowing gas laser apparatus comprising in combination: a dielectric substrate with a predetermined number of grooves formed therein, said grooves extending along the longitudinal axis of said dielectric substrate, a cylindrical member having an inner diameter such that said dielectric substrate conforms to the inner surface of said cylindrical member, said grooves of said dielectric substrate extending along the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical member and radially inward toward the central axis of said cylindrical member, a conductive member centered about and extending along said central axis of said cylindrical member to form an air gap therebetween, said air gap containing an active laser gas medium, and an excitation source connected between said conductive member and said cylindrical member, said cylindrical member being conductive, said excitation source producing a discharge in said laser gas medium thereby providing lasing in said ridged waveguide to generate laser oscillations.

Claim 16

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said grooves are semi-circular.

Claim 17

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said grooves are rectangular.

Claim 18

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said excitation source is an RF generator.

Claim 19

A dielectric ridged waveguide flowing gas laser apparatus comprising in combination: a first dielectric substrate with a predetermined number of grooves formed therein, said grooves extending along the longitudinal axis of said first dielectric substrate, a second dielectric substrate in parallel alignment with the grooved side of said first dielectric substrate forming an air gap therebetween, said air gap containing an active laser gap medium, dc electrode pairs, having first and second electrodes which are positioned at opposite ends of corresponding groove, said dc electrode pairs respectively protruding slightly into said grooves, and a dc excitation source connected between said electrode pairs, said dc excitation source produces a discharge in said laser gas medium to provide lasing in said ridged waveguide laser oscillations.

Claim 20

A dielectric ridged waveguide flowing gas laser apparatus comprising in combination: a first dielectric substrate with a predetermined number of grooves formed therein, said grooves extending along the longitudinal axis of said first dielectric substrate, a second dielectric substrate in parallel alignment with the grooved side of said first dielectric substrate forming an air gap therebetween, said air gap containing an active laser gap medium, dc electrode pairs, having first and second electrodes which are positioned at opposite ends of corresponding groove, said dc electrode pairs respectively protruding slightly into said grooves, and a dc excitation source connected between said electrode pairs, said dc excitation source produces a discharge in said laser gas medium to provide lasing in said ridged waveguide laser oscillations.

Claim 21

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein said dc excitation source is a dc battery.

Claim 22

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein said grooves are semi-circular.

Claim 23

A dielectric ridged waveguide gas laser apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein said grooves are rectangular.