Patent ID: 6049557
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A photolytic iodine laser comprising:a plurality of gain modules for exciting a gaseous fuel to higher energy levels by pumping incident radiation into an interior cavity defined by each gain module, each gain module including laser optics for providing a laser beam;a plurality of fuel inlets, one in gaseous communication with each of the interior cavities for receiving a supply of the gaseous fuel;a plurality of fuel outlets, one in communication with each of the interior cavities, opposite the associated fuel inlet;means for presenting the incident ultra-violet radiation to the interior cavity for exciting the gaseous fuel to higher energy levels;a closed-loop fuel system for presenting the gaseous fuel to the plurality of gain cells, the closed loop fuel system including:a condenser in communication with gain cell outlets for converting the gaseous fuel that has passed through each gain cell, into a liquefied fuel;a scrubber in communication with the condenser for removing any by-products, formed as a result of the lasing process, from the liquefied fuel to purify and prepare the fuel for recycling back to the plurality of gain cells;fuel pumping means interposed between the scrubber and the condenser for pumping the liquefied fuel; andan evaporator in communication with the scrubber for receiving and converting the liquefied fuel to a gaseous fuel.