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Title: Multiple arc radiation preionizer for gas lasers

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7077937

A multiple arc radiation preionizer for gas lasers is described that is formed of a metal electrical conductor with the conductor having formed over a portion of its length, a series of gaps to form a series of intervening discharge electrodes such that on energization of the conductor, a multiplicity of arc discharges is obtained. In a first embodiment the conductor is formed or positioned over the surface of a dielectric sheet such that arcs formed between electrodes are conducted over the surface of the sheet. The discharge electrodes are capacitively connected to ground or the low voltage side of the input via individual low-valued capacitors or by means of a conductor positioned in spaced relation to said electrodes. In the preferred embodiment, the preionizer is formed of a multiplicity of parallel conductors mounted on a dielectric sheet with the conductors each having a multiplicity of gaps therein forming a series of discharge electrodes each of which is connected through a capacitance to ground or a common voltage level such that on energization of the conductors from a high voltage pulse source, a two-dimensional array of a large number of arc discharges is obtained.

Assignee:
Canadian Patents and Development Ltd.
Patent Number(s):
US 4041414
OSTI ID:
7077937
Resource Relation:
Patent Priority Date: Priority date 30 May 1973, Canada
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English