Electron beam method and apparatus for obtaining uniform discharges in electrically pumped gas lasers

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:865885

Fenstermacher, Charles A ^[1]; Boyer, Keith ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

A method and apparatus for obtaining uniform, high-energy, large-volume electrical discharges in the lasing medium of a gas laser whereby a high-energy electron beam is used as an external ionization source to ionize substantially the entire volume of the lasing medium which is then readily pumped by means of an applied potential less than the breakdown voltage of the medium. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in CO.sub.2 laser systems.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4596017
• OSTI ID: 865885
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

electron
beam
method
apparatus
obtaining
uniform
discharges
electrically
pumped
gas
lasers
high-energy
large-volume
electrical
lasing
medium
laser
whereby
external
ionization
source
ionize
substantially
entire
volume
readily
means
applied
potential
breakdown
voltage
particularly
useful
systems
gas lasers
electrical discharge
breakdown voltage
electron beam
particularly useful
gas laser
lasing medium
energy electron
ionization source
laser systems
pumped gas
applied potential
entire volume
electrical discharges
obtaining uniform
high-energy electron
uniform discharge
beam method
electrically pumped
/372/359/