Gas laser chamber/optics support structure
US6109574A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/225
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A chamber/optics support structure for a laser having a laser chamber with a vibration source. The chamber and the laser resonance cavity optical elements are supported on a platform. The chamber is supported by a plurality of wheels which in turn rests on two tracks on track supports mounted on the platform. A flexible clamp flexibly clamps the chamber in a horizontal position to align it with the resonance cavity optical elements and to substantially decouple vibration between the chamber vibration source to the optical elements in a frequency range of concern. The invention is especially useful for positioning the heavy laser chamber of a narrow band excimer laser and for decoupling vibrations resulting from its blower from the lasers line narrowing module and output coupler. In a preferred embodiment the plurality of wheels is three wheels, two of which rest in a V-groove track and one of which rests on a flat track. This preferred embodiment uses two flex-clamps each having an adjustment bolt and four symmetrically spaced silicon rubber vibration isolators. Precise horizontal alignment of the chamber is accomplished using the adjustment bolt which is then held in position with…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.