Starter circuit for an RF laser
US5040184A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/0315
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A radio frequency (RF) driven laser system having a starter electrode and discharge control circuitry which facilitates the starting of the laser by ionizing a portion of the gain medium. The starter electrode is aligned with the main electrode but is much smaller and is energized only during the start-up period. RF power is coupled to the main and starter electrodes via RF amplifiers feeding power through a 90.degree. hybrid combiner to impedance matching networks which are individually adjusted for each electrode. The matching network coupled to the starter electrode provides a very high, Tesla coil type, RF voltage to the electrode. Once the start cycle is complete, a time delay circuit shuts down the starter circuit and all power from the two RF amplifiers is steered to the main electrode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.