US 5,347,531 AGranted

Transverse discharging excitation pulse laser oscillator apparatus

AssigneeMitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha

InventorsHajime Nakatani, Atsushi Sugitatsu

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Abstract

This invention relates to a transverse discharge pumping type pulse laser oscillating device including an electron capturing gas, especially to the configuration of preliminary ionization electrodes (4a, 4b, 8a, 8b). A transverse discharge exciting type pulse laser oscillating device according to this invention has preliminary ionization parts such that the dominant parts of corona discharge are directed to the part between main electrodes (1,2) and the developing lengths (1) of the corona discharge are long. The long developing lengths (1) increase the quantity of emitted ultraviolet rays and the electrodes (4a, 4b, 8a, 8b) are so arranged that the air between the main electrodes (1,2) is irradiated with ultraviolet rays emitted from near the initiating regions of the corona discharge, the initiating regions emitting light whose intensity is greater than those of other regions in the corona discharges. Thereby, a homogeneous main discharge is obtained and the efficiency of the laser oscillation is improved.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A transverse discharge excitation pulse laser oscillation apparatus comprising:

a first main electrode;
a second main electrode facing the first main electrode along an optical axis and separated from the first main electrode by a distance g;
a hollow pipe formed of a dielectric material and disposed on one side of the second main electrode in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis;
an auxiliary electrode formed within the hollow pipe;
at least one corona starting electrode in contact with the hollow pipe, the corona starting electrode being at a same potential as the second main electrode, wherein a corona discharge starts from the corona starting electrode and extends over a surface of the hollow pipe and generates ultraviolet radiation;
a laser gas disposed between said first and second main electrodes, the laser gas being pre-ionized by the generated ultra-violet radiation to thereby produce a uniform main discharge between said first and second main electrodes;
where a distance l represents one half one an outer circumferential length of the hollow pipe divided by a number of corona starting electrodes, a first direction is defined by a straight line between a point where corona discharge starts at the corona starting electrodes and a center of a face of the first main electrode facing the second main electrode, a second direction is defined by a straight line perpendicular to a direction in which the corona discharge develops, an angle .theta. representing an angle produced between the first and second directions,
wherein for .theta.<72.5 degrees, l.times.cos .theta.>6 mm;
and
wherein for .theta..gtoreq.72.5 degrees, l.times.N>6 mm,
where N is a fixed value of 0.3.

8 more elements

A transverse discharge excitation pulse laser oscillator apparatus comprising:

a first main electrode;
a second main electrode facing the first main electrode along an optical axis and separated from the first main electrode by a distance g;
two hollow pipes formed of a dielectric material and symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the second main electrode in directions perpendicular to the optical axis;
an auxiliary electrode formed within each of the two hollow pipe;
at least one corona starting electrode in contact with each of the two hollow pipes, the corona starting electrode being at a same potential as the second main electrode, wherein a corona discharge starts from the corona starting electrode and extends over a surface of each of the two hollow pipes and generates ultra-violet radiation;
a laser gas disposed between said first and second main electrodes, the laser gas being pre-ionized by the generated ultra-violet radiation to thereby produce a uniform main discharge;
where a distance l represents one half of an outer circumferential length of each of the two hollow pipes divided by a number of corona starting electrodes, a first direction is defined by a straight line between a point where corona discharge starts at the corona starting electrodes and a center of a face of the first main electrode facing the second main electrode, a second direction is defined by a straight line perpendicular to a direction in which the corona discharge develops, an angle .theta. representing an angle produced between the first and second directions,
wherein for .theta.<72.5 degrees, l.times.cos .theta.>3 mm;
and
wherein for .theta..gtoreq.72.5 degrees, l.times.N>3 mm,
where N is a fixed value of 0.3.

8 more elements

A transverse discharge excitation pulse laser oscillator apparatus comprising:

a first main electrode;
a second main electrode facing the first main electrode along an optical axis and separated from the first main electrode by a distance g;
two hollow pipes formed of a dielectric material and symmetrical disposed on opposite sides of the second main electrode in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis;
an auxiliary electrode formed within each of the two hollow pipes;
a corona starting means facing each of the two hollow pipes, the corona starting means being at a same potential as the second main electrode, wherein a corona discharge starts from the corona starting means and extends over a surface of each of the two hollow pipes and generates ultra-violet radiation;
a laser gas disposed between said first and second main electrodes, the laser gas being pre-ionized by the generated ultra-violet radiation to thereby produce a uniform main discharge;
where a distance l represents one half of an outer circumferential length of each of the two hollow pipes, a first direction is defined by a straight line between a point where corona discharge starts at the corona starting electrodes and a center of a face of the first main electrode facing the second main electrode, a second direction is defined by a straight line perpendicular to a direction in which the corona discharge develops, an angle .theta. representing an angle produced between the first and second directions,
wherein for .theta.<72.5 degrees, l.times.cos .theta.<3 mm;
and
wherein for .theta..gtoreq.72.5 degrees, l.times.N>3 mm,
where N is a fixed value of 0.3.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/752,573Filed 2 Oct 1991
Granted: 13 Sep 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

H01S 3/09716
With auxiliary ionisation, e.g. double discharge excitation: by ionising radiation
H01S 3/0385
Electrodes, e.g. special shape, configuration or composition: shape
H01S 3/0384
Electrodes, e.g. special shape, configuration or composition: auxiliary electrodes, e.g. for pre-ionisation or triggering, or particular…
H01S
Devices using the process of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

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