Patent ID: 6181719
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An RF excited gas laser comprising:a plasma tube containing electrodes and a laser gas medium, coupled to an optical resonator, and having a laser emission threshold,an RF power amplifier coupled to the electrodes for exciting the laser gas medium,a first frequency oscillator and a second frequency oscillator operating at at least two different frequencies and coupled to the RF power amplifier, the first frequency to provide maximum RF voltage to the plasma tube prior to ignition and the second frequency to provide optimum power for sustaining CW or pulse operation of the laser,a first frequency modulator to control the first frequency oscillator to provide RF power to the plasma tube in the form of RF pulses at the first frequency and at an energy level below the laser emission threshold, anda second frequency modulator to control the second frequency oscillator to supply RF power to the plasma tube in CW or pulse form at the second frequency at a laser gas medium excitation level above the laser emission threshold.