Patent · US Expired

Drive system for RF-excited gas lasers

US5008894A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
9References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 30, 1990
Grant dateApr 16, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 30, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S3/09702
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system for improved drive and matching between an RF power source and a plasma tube in a laser system. The system uses standard 50 or 75 ohm quarter wave transmission lines as the sole interconnect and matching elements between discharge electrodes and drive transistors. The drive transistos may be operated in deep saturation or as switches providing near square wave output to approach the 100 percent theoretical electrical efficiency of switching power supplies. The system features better initial breakdown, bettwer discharge uniformity and power stability under narrow drive pulse conditions, lower matching electrical losses, and extreme simplicity and low cost.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.