Slab laser with enhanced lifetime
US5216689A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/2232
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A CO.sub.2 slab laser is disclosed having a pair of spaced apart electrodes defining a rectangular discharge region. RF energy is fed through the electrodes to excite the CO.sub.2 gas. A pair of mirrors are located adjacent the electrodes to define the resonant cavity. A recombinant surface is placed between the ends of the electrodes and the mirrors to quench oxidizing species generated by the discharge before they reach the mirrors. In this manner, the degradation of the mirrors is reduced so that the high power performance of the laser can be maintained. The recombinant surfaces can be defined by forming extension regions at the end of the electrodes between which the discharge is minimized. Alternatively, a mirror shield having a beam transmitting aperture can be used to quench the oxidizing species.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.