Gain medium for radiant energy source
US4945543A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/036
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) waveguide laser is used to provide coherent infrared radiation. The mixture of gases in the laser includes helium, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, xenon and heavy hydrogen (deuterium). Carbon dioxide is the gain medium of the laser. During operation of the laser, a significant fraction of the CO.sub.2 dissociates to CO and O.sub.2. In the present invention, deuterium (D.sub.2) in the presence of excess CO catalyzes the recombination of CO and O.sub.2 back to CO.sub.2, thus yielding significantly increased power output from the laser. The presence of D.sub.2 also sustains a long sealed life from the CO.sub.2 laser at an enhanced power output level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.