Internal resonator water cooled ion laser
AssigneeSpectra-Physics, Inc.
InventorsMike F. Miller, Kim M. Gunther
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A single unitary structure for an ion laser in which the plasma tube with a surrounding electromagnet is integrated with the laser resonator tube. Cooling channels are formed by a pair of annular channels between the resonator tube, electromagnet and plasma tube. A helical, flow path in the annular channels provides uniform cooling around the resonator tube.
Claims17
An integrated resonator tube-magnet-laser tube apparatus for an ion laser, comprising:
- a resonator tube;
- a magnet concentrically mounted in a spaced relationship within the resonator tube and defining between the magnet and resonator an outer coolant flow channel;
- a plasma tube concentrically mounted in a spaced relationship within the magnet and defining between the magnet and plasma tube an inner coolant flow channel.
In an ion laser having an optical resonator supporting a pair of spaced aligned mirrors, defining an optical cavity, a plasma tube containing a gain medium positioned within the resonator, excitation means for exciting the gain medium to form a plasma to produce lasing action, and an electromagnet surrounding the plasma tube to magnetically compress the plasma, the improvement comprising:
- a resonator tube;
- a magnet concentrically mounted in a spaced relationship within the resonator tube and defining between the magnet and resonator tube an outer coolant flow channel;
- a plasma tube concentrically mounted in a spaced relationship with the magnet and defining between the magnet and plasma tube an inner coolant flow channel.
Method for forming an integrated resonator-plasma tube-electromagnet structure, comprising:
- mounting a plasma tube in a concentric spaced relationship within a resonator tube;
- mounting an electromagnet in a concentric spaced relationship between the plasma tube and resonator tube to form an outer channel between the electromagnet and resonantor tube and an inner channel between the plasma tube and the electromagnet and
- forming a helical passageway through the outer channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.