Method and apparatus for replenishing dye solution in a dye laser

A method of replenishing a dye solution in a dye laser comprising:

• prior to operation of the dye laser, loading a porous bed filter repository with solute such that the dye solution at a predetermined operating dye solute concentration flowing into the porous bed filter repository remains at substantially the same dye solute concentration;
• and
• with firing of the laser:
• monitoring solute concentration in the dye solution;
• and
• replenishing solute in the dye solution in response to monitored solute concentration;
• wherein the pH of the dye solution is maintained at a pH value between 7.0 and 8.0 with a buffer or buffer mixture.

A dye laser system comprising:

• a dye laser cell;
• a porous bed filter loaded with solute such that dye solution at a predetermined operating dye solute concentration flowing into the porous bed filter remains at substantially the same dye solute concentration;
• a monitor comprising at least one filter having a passband at a characteristic wavelength of the dye solution and rejecting broadband fluorescence of the dye solution for monitoring absorption of the dye solution at the characteristic wavelength;
• and
• a solute supply for automatically replenishing solute in the dye solution in response to monitored absorption;
• wherein the pH of the dye solution is maintained at a pH value between 7.0 and 8.0 with a buffer or buffer mixture.

A dye laser system comprising:

• a dye laser cell;
• a monitor for monitoring dye solute concentration in a dye solution;
• and
• a solute supply for replenishing dye solute and an additive solute in response to the monitored dye solute concentration,
• wherein the pH of the dye solution is maintained at a preselected pH value with a buffer or buffer mixture.

A method of replenishing a dye solution in a dye laser comprising:

• prior to operation of the dye laser, loading a porous bed filter repository with solute such that the dye solution at a predetermined operating dye solute concentration flowing into the porous bed filter repository remains at substantially the same dye solute concentration;
• monitoring and controlling temperature of the dye solution;
• and
• with firing of the laser:
• monitoring solute concentration in the dye solution;
• and
• replenishing solute in the dye solution in response to monitored solute concentration;
• wherein the pH of the dye solution is maintained at a preselected pH value.

A dye laser system comprising:

• a dye laser cell;
• a porous bed filter loaded with solute such that dye solution at a predetermined operating dye solute concentration flowing into the porous bed filter remains at substantially the same dye solute concentration;
• a dye solution temperature monitor and controller;
• a monitor comprising at least one filter having a passband at a characteristic wavelength of the dye solution and rejecting broadband fluorescence of the dye solution for monitoring absorption of the dye solution at the characteristic wavelength;
• and
• a solute supply for automatically replenishing solute in the dye solution in response to monitored absorption;
• wherein the pH of the dye solution is maintained at a preselected pH value with a buffer or buffer mixture.

A dye laser system comprising:

• a dye laser cell;
• a dye solution temperature monitor and controller;
• a monitor for monitoring dye solute concentration in a dye solution;
• and
• a solute supply for replenishing dye solute and an additive solute in response to the monitored dye solute concentration;
• wherein the pH of the dye solution is maintained at a preselected pH value with a buffer or buffer mixture.

A system for replenishing a dye solution in a dye laser comprising:

• a dye solution monitor comprising at least one dye solution optical absorption light source and detector wherein optical detection is at a characteristic wavelength of the dye solution;
• a solute supply for replenishing dye solute in the dye solution in response to monitored dye solute absorption;
• and
• a dye solution temperature monitor and controller;
• wherein the pH of the dye solution is maintained at a preselected pH value with a buffer or buffer mixture.