Abstract An improved laser apparatus is disclosed which employs a pulsecharging coupling connected in circuit between a pulse generator means and an excitation medium which is employed to excite a laser material to a lasing level. The laser disclosed preferably comprises a source of electrical power, a pulse generator which may take the form of a pulse-forming network together with a switch means, and an appropriate form of pulse-charging coupling connected between the pulse generator and the medium which is to be excited to raise the lasing material to a lasing level. The pulse-charging coupling performs the function of impressing pulsed electrical energy upon a medium such as gas, for example, with significantly improved efficiency to optimize the lasing phenomenon. The concept of the disclosure which teaches the use of a pulse-charging coupling is readily adapted to, and ideally suited for employment in producing the most favorable impedance matching relationships of the laser apparatus which in itself contributes significantly to the efficiency of the transfer of energy from an electrical power source to produce optimized laser power output. Several forms of pulse-charging couplings are disclosed and described including a flat, parallel plate type which may comprise a dual ground plane and transmission line portion; a multiple conductor coaxial form of pulse-charging coupling is also described and illustrated in the disclosure.
An improved apparatus for exciting a laser material comprising: a gas energizable by the conduction of pulsed electrical current for producing laser excitation energy; a source of electrical power; a pulse-forming network connected to said source of electrical power; switch means connected to said pulse-forming network, said means being controllably actuatable for the conduction of pulses of electrical current flow from said network; and a pulse charging coupling connecting said switch means to said gas, said coupling having an impedance which permits it to develop a substantial overvoltage prior to gas breakdown to serve as the primary electrical pulse generator for the gas for substantially the first 2Tc after initiation of breakdown of the gas, where Tc is the pulse charge coupling transient time, and 2Tc is the time necessary to achieve peak population inversion of the gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
An improved apparatus for exciting a laser material comprising: a gas energizable by the conduction of pulsed electrical current for producing laser excitation energy; a source of electrical power; a pulse-forming network connected to said source of electrical power; switch means connected to said pulse-forming network, said means being controllably actuatable for the conduction of pulses of electrical current flow from said network; and a pulse charging coupling connecting said switch means to said gas, said coupling having an impedance which permits it to develop a substantial overvoltage prior to gas breakdown to serve as the primary electrical pulse generator for the gas for substantially the first 2Tc after initiation of breakdown of the gas, where Tc is the pulse charge coupling transient time, and 2Tc is the time necessary to achieve peak population inversion of the gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An improved apparatus for exciting a laser material as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a plurality of means for substantially simultaneous conduction of pulses of electrical current flow thereacross.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improved apparatus for exciting a laser material as claimed in claim 2 wherein said switch means comprises a plurality of spark gap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved apparatus for exciting a laser material as claimed in claim 3 wherein said spark gaps are contained within a selected gas medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved apparatus for exciting a laser material as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pulse-charging coupling comprises a portion of a transmission line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An improved apparatus for exciting a laser material as claimed in claim 5 wherein said pulse-charging coupling comprises a portion of a coaxial transmission line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved apparatus for exciting a laser material as claimed in claim 6 wherein said coaxial transmission line is connected to switch means comprising coaxial spark gaps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An improved apparatus for exciting a laser material is claimed in claim 5 wherein said pulse-charging coupling comprises a portion of a parallel-plate transmission line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved apparatus for exciting a laser material as claimed in claim 5 wherein said pulse-charging coupling comprises a double ground plane balun line.