Laser assembly system and method

Details Laser assembly system and method Laser assembly system and method

1999-12-27

2001-02-27

Scott, Jr., Leon (Department: 2881)

Coherent light generators

Particular pumping means

Electrical

C372S092000, C372S064000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06195379

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for assembly of lasers, and more particularly, to assembly of lasers with electrodes such as used in gas lasers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional gas lasers have many components including such things as electrodes, inductors, ground spacers, and alignment screws, that must be precisely positioned, fitted, and aligned under highly demanding tolerances within a gas laser housing as part of the assembly process. Unfortunately, the methods and construction of conventional gas lasers require much time, effort, and expense.
In addition, performance and quality regarding such things as inter-electrode gap and cooling efficiency of the assembled gas lasers can vary widely among individual gas lasers of the same construction due to the demanding tolerances and difficult assembly procedures. Furthermore, imperfections such as bowing, twisting, or other dimensional anomalies in the gas laser housing itself result from the extrusion, casting, machining, and other manufacturing processes used in the manufacturing of the housing and can adversely impact the quality of the laser bore itself, adversely impact uniformity of the electric field within the discharge area of the gas laser, and also degrade cooling efficiencies thereby further adversely impacting laser performance. These adverse effects can result in poor beam quality and poor beam power levels of conventional gas lasers even when costly and time consuming assembly procedures are implemented.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A laser assembly system and method has aspects including a housing and an electrode assembly. The housing has a first wall with a first interior surface and an opposing second wall with a second interior surface. The electrode assembly has first and second electrodes each having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The electrode assembly also has linkage members configured to rigidly link the first and second electrodes together independent of the housing. One or more portions of first electrical insulation material are positioned adjacent to and extending outward of the exterior surface of the first electrode. One or more portions of second electrical insulation material are positioned adjacent to and extending outward of the exterior surface of the second electrode. One or more portions of third electrical insulation material are positioned between the first and second electrodes to separate the interior surfaces of the first and second electrodes from one another to form an inter-electrode gap between the interior surfaces of the first and second electrodes.
Further aspects include the first and second walls of the housing being resiliently flexed to produce inwardly directed force against the electrode assembly, the first interior surface of the first wall of the housing being in contact with and transmitting force against the one or more portions of the first electrical insulation material, and the second interior surface of the second wall of the housing being in contact with and transmitting force against the one or more portions of the second electrical insulation material. Additional aspects include the first and second electrodes being made from one or more of the following materials: machined metal, extruded metal, and cast metal. Other aspects include a gas medium being made from one or more of the following gases: carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, xenon, oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, water, neon, krypton, and argon.


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