Coherent light generators – Particular pumping means – Electrical
Patent
1988-05-02
1990-03-06
Gonzalez, Frank
Coherent light generators
Particular pumping means
Electrical
372 87, 372 93, H01S 3097
Patent
active
049072412
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a gas laser device, and more particularly, to a gas laser device including a discharge tube shaped for increased oscillation efficiency.
2. Description of the Related Art
Increasing the oscillation efficiency in gas laser devices is an important technical target. Techniques for achieving this target include the generation of positive discharge resistance characteristics due to electron capture in a high-frequency electric discharge, and the removal of a cathode effect. The electron capture technique requires increasing the frequency of an electric discharge power supply.
It is highly difficult to provide a high-output, high-frequency power supply. In order to achieve electron capture, i.e., to prevent electrons from reaching side walls of a discharge tube, it is necessary that the distance d between electrodes in the discharge tube be considerably greater than the distance l that electrons move per half of the frequency, as indicated by the following equation:
Assuming that d=2 cm and the minimum distance for the electrons not to collide with the side walls is l=d, f is calculated as follows:
Vacuum tubes may be employed in a high-frequency power supply. However, since the service life of vacuum tubes is only about 3,000 hours, it would be problematic to construct a practical gas laser device employing such a high-frequency power supply. Therefore, solid-state devices such as semiconductors or the like should desirably be employed to construct a high-frequency power supply. In a large-output range, however, the output frequency of a currently available high-frequency power supply constructed of solid-state devices is about 2 MHz. Thus, the above requirement cannot be satisfactorily met. Specifically, assuming that the frequency of a high-frequency power supply is 2 MHz, then
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas laser device which will solve the above problems and has a discharge tube shaped for increased oscillation efficiency without substantially increasing the frequency of a power supply.
To solve the above problems, there is provided in accordance with the present invention a gas laser device in which a laser medium gas is circulated in a discharge tube and a laser beam is generated from the gas excited by a high-frequency electric discharge. The device includes a high-frequency power supply serving as an electric discharge power supply. The distance between electrodes of the discharge tube is selected such that electrons will not collide with side walls of the discharge tube based on the frequency of said high-frequency power supply and electron mobility. A plurality of reflecting mirrors reflect the laser beam along a folded path and amplifying the laser beam.
Since the distance between the electrodes is increased by folding the path of the laser beam, the distance that can be traversed by electrons at a constant frequency is increased, thus bringing about electron capture. Moreover, inasmuch as the distance which the laser beam moves axially in the discharge tube is increased, the degree of amplification correspondingly increases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the device shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described in specific detail with reference to the drawings.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a gas laser device includes an electric discharge tube 1 in which a laser medium gas is circulated and an electric discharge is produced to excite the laser medium gas for amplifying a laser beam, and electrodes 2a and 2b. Electrode 2a is connected to a high-frequency power supply 3 and the electrode 2b is connected to ground. The high-frequency power supply, 3 which generates a high frequency electric discharge, is connected to the electrode 2a through
REFERENCES:
patent: 3777279 (1973-12-01), Eckbreth et al.
patent: 4288756 (1981-09-01), Kaye
patent: 4596018 (1986-06-01), Gruber et al.
patent: 4757511 (1988-07-01), Klingel et al.
Fanuc Ltd
Gonzalez Frank
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