Apparatus for the generation of laser radiation

Details Apparatus for the generation of laser radiation Apparatus for the generation of laser radiation

1984-07-11

1987-01-13

Scott, Jr., Leon

Coherent light generators

Particular pumping means

Electrical

372 87, 372 61, H01S 3097

Patent

active

046370315

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an apparatus for the generation of laser radiation consisting of a discharge chamber of essentially rectangular cross section made from insulating material, one pair of discharge electrodes between which a gas discharge initiated by UV preionization arising from a corona discharge can be produced in a direction transverse to the optical resonator; as well as a charging and discharging circuit and a gas circulation and cooling system.
Transversely excited pulsed lasers operate preferably at atmospheric pressure and are known as TEA (transversely excited atmospheric pressure) lasers. These lasers have a high efficiency and good radiation properties, provided that the excitation covers the whole volume between the electrodes and does not contract into sparks. Uniform discharge can be achieved by preionization of the laser gas using double pulse discharge technics or by electron beam or UV light, the UV light originating in a corona discharge. It also known that special devices for preionization are unnecessary if metal parts of the structure are led along one electrode such that they are insulated from the electrode but have the potential of the couterelectrode (Optical Engineering 15 (1976) 17-19, H. JETTER, K. Gurs, DE-OS 31 18 868). In this case, too, a corona discharge is initiated which emits UV light. In the laser according to DE-OS 31 18 868, two electrodes are arranged opposite to each other, between which the laser gas flows. This permits laser operation at high pulse repetition frequency. The lower electrode is held by insulated rods which at the same time serve for power supply. They are mounted along the upper electrodes and have the potential of the lower electrode, thus permitting corona discharge. A drawback of this setup is the relatively high technical effort involved in the use of metal rods for mounting the second electrode and the safe insulation of the rods against the first electrode.
The aim of the present invention therefore is to develop a TEA laser of high pulse frequency which does not involve the drawbacks of conventional setups and permits preionisation by corona discharge with very low technical effort.
According to the present invention, this problem is solved by providing the two opposite walls of the discharge chamber carrying the electrodes with a metal coating and the remaining lateral walls of the discharge chamber with conducting structures which are insulated against the interior space and extend on both sides up to the level of the metal coating.
The invention is explained on the basis of the attached schematic drawings, wherein
FIG. 1 shows a section of the discharge chamber provided with metal coatings and conducting structures, in a direction transverse to the resonator axis;
FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of the system with a possible arrangement of the conducting structures;
FIG. 3 shows the setup according to FIG. 1 with the adjacent gas circulation and cooling system;
FIG. 4 shows a possible embodiment of the partition wall between the discharge chamber and the gas circulation and cooling system; and
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment where the gas circulation and cooling system and the discharge chamber form two separate gas-tight connected units.
According to the invention, a laser chamber 1 with essentially square or rectangular cross section is used. Two opposite walls of the discharge chamber 1 carry metal coatings 2a and 2b, e.g. metal plates or sheets, on which the electrodes 3a and 3b are mounted.
The chamber 1 is made of an insulating material, e.g. a ceramic or a plastic material. Suitable plastics include, for example, Plexiglas, polypropylene, tetrafluoroethylene of SOLEF (PVDF). A wire grid 4 is incorporated in the lateral walls of the chamber 1 at a small distance (some millimeters) from the inner surface, which extends on both sides, i.e. upward and downward, to the level of the metal plates 2a and 2b.
It has been found that upon rapid application of a voltage to the Rogowski electrodes a corona discharge takes place in th

REFERENCES:
patent: 4491949 (1985-01-01), Beck et al.
patent: 4554667 (1985-11-01), Kaminski
Hasson et al, "Simple and Compact Photopreionization-Stabilized Excimer Lasers"; Rev. Sci. Inst. 50(12) Dec. 1979.
Vuong et al, "Stabilized TEA CO.sub.2 Laser with Double Photopreionization and Low-Ionization Potential Additives"; SJQE 12(1) Jan. 1982.

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