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Title: Laser tube mirror assembly

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6416736

A laser tube end assembly is described which comprises a laser mirror sealed to each end of the laser tube, the seal withstanding the relatively high temperatures utilized to remove contaminants from the laser tube during fabrication thereof, the sealant also minimizing gas permeation therethrough during laser tube utilization. The assembly is fabricated by first preparing an apertured recessed metal flange member. A slurry, comprising a glass frit and carrier, is introduced into the metal flange member and allowed to dry. The metal flange member is placed in a first portion of a fixture and a glass substrate having a reflecting layer coated thereon is positioned adjacent the flange member recess with the reflecting layer being at least coextensive with the aperture. The weighted second portion of the fixture contacts the non-reflecting side of the glass substrate to ensure that the glass substrate reflecting layer is in contact with the surface of the metal flange member via the dried slurry. The fixture is placed in an oven, the temperature thereof being increased to the fritting temperature of the glass frit for a predetermined time period, the oven thereafter being slowly cooled. The glass substrate is now hard-sealed to the metal flange member, forming the aforementioned assembly, the assembly being joined to a mating flange formed on the laser tube. The reflecting layer is selected to withstand the fritting temperatures with minimal optical and mechanical changes and the glass substrate is selected to retain its mechanical dimension during and after thermal cycling to the fritting temperatures. The glass substrate, the sealant mixture and the metal flange member are selected to have closely matched coefficients of thermal expansion to minimize seal leakage during laser tube operation.

Assignee:
Xerox Corp
Patent Number(s):
US 4233568
OSTI ID:
6416736
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 24 Feb 1975
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English