Coherent light generators – Particular pumping means – Electrical
Patent
1990-02-22
1990-12-18
Gonzalez, Frank
Coherent light generators
Particular pumping means
Electrical
372 56, 372 61, 372 62, H01S 397
Patent
active
049791796
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention refers to a device in gas lasers, especially so called white light lasers and of the kind which at one hand comprises at least one gas discharge tube in the form of an electrode segment comprising at least one cathode electrode arranged between anode electrodes, the electrode surfaces of said cathode electrode being exposed to the gas and on the other hand comprises end members enclosing the gaseous medium within the segment.
Hollow cathode lasers are a special type of gas lasers in which the active area consists of the negative plasma glow. The lazing substance is often a metal ion excited in a rare-gas plasma, but lazing in pure rare-gas mixtures also occurs. Of special interest are He-Cd hollow cathode lasers, since they can laze continuously and simultaneously in red, green and blue. Such lasers, so called white light lasers, are interesting i.a. at handling of colour pictures.
Many constructions of white gas lasers have been tested, but yet there are none that are commercially available. This probably depends on life- and instability problems. The life limit is primarily caused by the fact that the metal vapour is diffused from the active areas and e.g. is deposited on the Brewster window or--if such are missing on--the laser mirrors. The instability of laser output is primarily caused by plasma instabilities. These are generated e.g. by temperature gradients in the laser, geometry deficiencies and presence of undesired substances in the laser cavity.
OBJECT AND MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is primarily to provide a gas laser which substantially reduces the discharge instability problems, at which an increase and stabilization of the output of the laser is achieved. At the same time known positive effects should be maintained, such as keeping the metal vapour in the active area of the gas discharge tube, so that a decontamination of its end sealing means and laser mirrors respectively does not occur or only to a slight exent. The diffusion of the metal vapours can also in this way be considerably reduced. This has been provided by the fact that the cathode electrode between the anode electrodes is divided in two preferably essentially equally long tube parts designed with inner, cylindrical electrode surfaces, that between the tube parts there is arranged a widened portion which leads to the tube parts, and that an anode electrode is via an insulator connected to the end of each tube part facing away from the widened portion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will below be closer described with reference to some embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a section through a very schematically shown laser electrode segment according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a section analogous with FIG. 1 of a modified laser electrode segment.
FIG. 3 shows a section through a laboratory embodiment of the laser electrode segment schematically shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 shows a section through the schematic construction of two electrode segments according to the invention connected in series.
FIG. 5 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 4 in more complete construction.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The invention presents a special design of a hollow cathode laser tube. An important component in the laser is the cylindrical electrode segment 11, which is schematically shown in FIG. 1 and 2. A laser tube can comprise one such segment, shown in FIGS. 1-3 or several such segments connected in series as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In order to provide a functioning laser there are also required laser mirrors 19, electric power unit, mechanical holders, possible cooling/heating control 17 and other control electronics etc., which details are not shown since they are well-known in the art.
The laser electrode segment 11 according to the invention consists of a cathode electrode, generally denoted 12, to both ends of which there are connected insulators 13, which in turn are provided with an anode 14 each.
The cathode 12 can, as is shown in FIG.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3792373 (1974-02-01), Altman et al.
patent: 4255720 (1981-03-01), Wang et al.
patent: 4287484 (1981-09-01), Wang et al.
patent: 4380078 (1983-04-01), Wang et al.
Carlsson Charlotte
Mizeraczyk Jerzy
Segerstad Sverker H. A.
Gonzalez Frank
Morse Susan S.
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