Inductive gas line for pulsed lasers
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsWilliam J. Benett, Terry W. Alger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gas laser having a metal inlet gas feed line assembly shaped as a coil, to function as an electrical inductance and therefore high impedance to pulses of electric current applied to electrodes at opposite ends of a discharge tube of a laser, for example. This eliminates a discharge path for the laser through the inlet gas feed line. A ferrite core extends through the coil to increase the inductance of the coil and provide better electric isolation. By elimination of any discharge breakdown through the gas supply, efficiency is increased and a significantly longer operating lifetime of the laser is provided.
Claims19
A method for eliminating an electrical discharge path through a gas inlet line connected to a gas discharge chamber utilizing pulsed electrical energy for producing the gas discharge, comprising the steps of:
- utilizing a gas inlet line constructed of electrically conductive material,
- forming the gas inlet line in a coil configuration, and
- thereby providing animpedance with the coil to any pulsed electric current entering the gas inlet line.
An inductive gas inlet line assembly adapted for connection to an associated gas discharge device such as a gas laser for eliminating an electrical discharge path through the gas inlet line, said assembly comprising:
- an electrically conductive gas inlet line formed in the shape of a coil and adapted to be connected between an associated gas supply and an associated gas discharge device,
- whereby the coil provides impedance to any electrical discharge through the gas inlet line.
In a copper vapor laser having a gas discharge tube, a pair of electrodes positioned in spaced relation for producing a pulsed electric current through the discharge tube, and gas inlet means for flowing gas into the discharge tube, the improvement comprising:
- means for preventing a discharge path for the electric current through the gas inlet means, said means preventing including:
- a coil constructed of electrically conductive material placed in the gas inlet means to provide an inductive impedance to pulsed electric current applied at the electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.