Compact excimer laser insulator with integral pre-ionizer

A laser, comprising:

• a housing;
• an insulating plate coupled to an internal surface of said housing, wherein a first surface of said insulating plate is coupled to said housing internal surface;
• a cathode coupled to a second surface of said insulating member;
• an anode;
• a pre-ionizing element located in a slot, said slot formed in said first surface of said insulating plate, wherein said pre-ionizing element defines a first plate of a capacitor and said cathode defines a second plate of said capacitor, said insulating plate constructed of a dielectric material having properties to support a capacitive corona discharge without dielectric breakdown;
• a laserable gas medium within said housing;
• and
• a voltage source for introducing a voltage between said cathode and said pre-ionizing element to charge the capacitor and form a corona discharge, said corona discharge facilitating ionization of said laserable gas medium.

A pre-ionizer for use in a laser, comprising:

• an insulating plate with a width, a length, a first surface, and a second surface, said insulating plate constructed of a dielectric material having properties to support a capacitive corona discharge;
• a recess formed in said first surface of said insulating plate, said recess having a length less than said insulating plate length and a width less than said insulating plate width;
• a cathode fitted within said recess, said cathode defining a first capacitor plate of a first capacitor and a first capacitor plate of a second capacitor, said cathode having a thickness substantially equivalent to a depth associated with said recess;
• a first slot formed in said second surface of said insulating plate, said first slot having a length substantially equivalent to said recess length;
• a second slot formed in said second surface of said insulating plate, said second slot having a length substantially equivalent to said recess length, wherein said first slot and said second slot are substantially parallel;
• a first pre-ionizing element fitted within said first slot, said first pre-ionizing element defining a second capacitor plate of said first capacitor, said first pre-ionizing element electrically connected to a ground potential;
• a second pre-ionizing element fitted within said second slot, said second pre-ionizing element defining a second capacitor plate of said second capacitor, said second pre-ionizing element electrically connected to said ground potential;
• and
• a voltage source for introducing a voltage between said cathode and said first pre-ionizing element and between said cathode and said second pre-ionizing element, said voltage introduction causing the formation of a first and a second corona discharge proximate said cathode.