Ion laser having direct liquid cooling of segmented discharge tube

A laser tube comprising,

• a plurality of tube segments, each having an axis and joined together at respective segment interfaces, forming a coaxial group having a longitudinal discharge bore along a common axis of the segments;
• said bore containing a gas capable of lasing action, and
• a plurality of thermally conducting, electrically insulating sleeves covering in a fluid-excluding fit, the outer peripheral edges of said segment interfaces of said segments, each segment interface covered by a separate sleeve, each sleeve being elongated and being coaxial with said tube segments.

An ion laser tube cooling system comprising,

• a plurality of laser tube segments joined together forming a tube, some of said segments being exteriorly electrically conductive,
• electrically insulating and thermally conductive sleeve means disposed over said electrically conductive tube segments, and
• a coolant jacket spaced apart from and enclosing said sleeve means, said coolant jacket having coolant therein in thermal communication with said sleeve means.