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Methods and compositions for protecting laser excitation gases from contamination

Assignee: Summit Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1990-12-03
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Granted: 1993-04-06
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Expires: 2010-12-03
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Abstract

Abstract Plastic or polymeric materials can be rendered substantially more practical for use in gas laser systems, and the problem of gas contamination due to outgassing of volatile materials can be significantly reduced by coating the polymeric elements with a thin dielectric film.

Inventors

  • 👤 Peter J. Klopotek

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 11:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/0305; H01S3/036; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/0971; H01S3/14; H01S3/22; H01S3/223; H01S3/225

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 73 words
In a gas laser apparatus having a gaseous laser medium and excitation elements enclosed and supported with a chamber by structural elements, the improvement comprising: at least one structural element fabricated of a polymeric material and having a thin dielectric film covering all exposed surfaces of said polymeric element within said chamber, said film serving as a protective coating to retard outgassing of volatile organic molecules into said chamber from said polymeric material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 73 words
In a gas laser apparatus having a gaseous laser medium and excitation elements enclosed and supported with a chamber by structural elements, the improvement comprising: at least one structural element fabricated of a polymeric material and having a thin dielectric film covering all exposed surfaces of said polymeric element within said chamber, said film serving as a protective coating to retard outgassing of volatile organic molecules into said chamber from said polymeric material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gas laser apparatus is a TEA laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gas laser is an excimer laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gas laser is a molecular F 2 laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thin film is non-hygroscopic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thin film can withstand thermal and mechanical expansions of said polymeric element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 85 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thin film comprises a material selected from the group consisting of Alumina (Al 2 O 3 ), Titania (TiO 2 ), Magnesium Chloride (MgCl 2 ), Hafnium Oxide (Hf 2 O 3 ), Magnesium Fluoride (MgF 2 ), Calcium Fluoride (CaF 2 ), Yitrium Fluoride (YF 3 ), Cadmium Fluoride (CdF 2 ), Lead Fluoride (PbF 2 ), Hafnium Fluoride (HfF 4 ), Strontium Fluoride (SrF 2 ), Thorium Fluoride (ThF 2 ), or Barium Fluoride (BaF 2 ).

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4340617A Cited
US4718072A Cited
US4713825A Cited
US4888203A Cited
US5007064A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-04-05 1996-10-05 1997-04-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-04-05 2000-10-05 2001-04-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-04-05 2004-10-05 2005-04-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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