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Title: Laser utilizing a gaseous lasing medium and method for operating the same

Abstract

The invention relates to an improvement in gas lasers and a method of operating the same. In one aspect, the invention is an improved method for operating a high-power gas laser. The improvement comprises introducing the gas lasing medium tangentially to the laser tube at a pressure establishing a forced vortex in the tube. The vortex defines an axially extending core region characterized by a low pressure and temperature relative to the gas inlet and the exterior of the vortex. An electrical discharge is established in the core region to initiate lasing of the gas. The gas discharge from the tube is passed through a diffuser. As in conventional gas lasers, firing results in a very abrupt increase in gas temperature and in severe disruption of the gas. However, the gas vortex, almost immediately restores the gas to its prefiring condition. That is, almost all of the waste heat is transferred radially to the laser wall, and the original gas-flow pattern is restored. As a result, the power output of the laser is increased significantly, and the laser firing repetition rate is markedly increased.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
OSTI Identifier:
7022161
Application Number:
ON: DE84014500
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-84OR21400
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; GAS LASERS; DESIGN; OPERATION; VORTEX FLOW; DIFFUSERS; FLUID FLOW; LASERS; 420300* - Engineering- Lasers- (-1989)

Citation Formats

Zerr, B A. Laser utilizing a gaseous lasing medium and method for operating the same. United States: N. p., 1983. Web.
Zerr, B A. Laser utilizing a gaseous lasing medium and method for operating the same. United States.
Zerr, B A. Tue . "Laser utilizing a gaseous lasing medium and method for operating the same". United States.
@article{osti_7022161,
title = {Laser utilizing a gaseous lasing medium and method for operating the same},
author = {Zerr, B A},
abstractNote = {The invention relates to an improvement in gas lasers and a method of operating the same. In one aspect, the invention is an improved method for operating a high-power gas laser. The improvement comprises introducing the gas lasing medium tangentially to the laser tube at a pressure establishing a forced vortex in the tube. The vortex defines an axially extending core region characterized by a low pressure and temperature relative to the gas inlet and the exterior of the vortex. An electrical discharge is established in the core region to initiate lasing of the gas. The gas discharge from the tube is passed through a diffuser. As in conventional gas lasers, firing results in a very abrupt increase in gas temperature and in severe disruption of the gas. However, the gas vortex, almost immediately restores the gas to its prefiring condition. That is, almost all of the waste heat is transferred radially to the laser wall, and the original gas-flow pattern is restored. As a result, the power output of the laser is increased significantly, and the laser firing repetition rate is markedly increased.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 18 00:00:00 EDT 1983},
month = {Tue Oct 18 00:00:00 EDT 1983}
}

Patent:
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