Initiating laser-sustained plasma
US8259771B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J61/54
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A laser-sustained plasma light source with a bulb for enclosing a relatively cool gas environment, and an electrode disposed at least partially within the gas environment. A power supply applies a potential to the electrode, where the power supply is sufficient to create a corona discharge at the electrode within the gas environment, and the power supply is not sufficient to produce an arc discharge within the gas environment. The corona discharge thereby produces a relatively heated gas environment. A pump laser source focuses a laser beam within the gas environment, where the laser beam is sufficient to ignite a plasma in the relatively heated gas environment, but is not sufficient to ignite a plasma in the relatively cool gas environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.