Metal vapor laser including hot electrodes and integral wick

Patent · 07 March 1995

OSTI ID:27719

Ault, E R; Alger, T W

A metal vapor laser, specifically one utilizing copper vapor, is disclosed herein. This laser utilizes a plasma tube assembly including a thermally insulated plasma tube containing a specific metal, e.g., copper, and a buffer gas therein. The laser also utilizes means including hot electrodes located at opposite ends of the plasma tube for electrically exciting the metal vapor and heating its interior to a sufficiently high temperature to cause the metal contained therein to vaporize and for subjecting the vapor to an electrical discharge excitation in order to lase. The laser also utilizes external wicking arrangements, that is, wicking arrangements located outside the plasma tube. 5 figs.

• Research Organization: University of California
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,396,513/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-158,885
• OSTI ID: 27719
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
DESIGN
ELECTRICAL PUMPING
EVAPORATION
EXCITATION
METAL VAPOR LASERS