Patent ID: 6337869
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: B23K,H01S

Abstract:
A gas laser oscillator for emitting a laser beam, said gas laser oscillator comprising;a discharge tube having a discharge space formed therein and having a first end and a second end; a fully reflective mirror disposed toward an opening at the first end of said discharge tube for composing an end mirror; a partially reflective mirror disposed toward an opening at the second end of said discharge tube for composing an output mirror; a beam splitter disposed outside of said partially reflective mirror, operable to cut across the passage of the laser beam, and operable to separate the laser beam; a first switch operable to be actuated when said beam splitter is installed at a specified position; a focusing lens operable to focus the laser beam separated by said beam splitter; a detector operable to detect the laser beam focused by said focusing lens; an amplifier operable to amplify an output of said detector and issue a detection signal; a shielding plate disposed between said focusing lens and said detector, wherein the laser beam reaches said detector when said shielding plate is opened and does not reach said detector when said shielding plate is closed; a second switch operable to be actuated when said shielding plate is opened; a first electrode disposed at the first end of said discharge tube; a second electrode disposed at the second end of said discharge tube; a direct-current high voltage power source operable to discharge in said discharge space of said discharge tube by applying a high voltage of pulse form between said first electrode and said second electrode; an output control device operable to control an output of said direct-current high voltage power source; a movable absorber disposed outside of said partially reflective mirror and operable to open or close a passage of a laser beam; a drive device operable to drive said movable absorber to open or close the passage of the laser beam; and an absorber control device operable to control said drive device so as to move said absorber to a position so as to intercept the laser beam during standby, and so as to move said absorber to a position so that said absorber does not interfere with a passing of the laser beam during processing; wherein said output control device is operable to control said direct-current high voltage power source so as to discharge in a same condition both during standby and during processing.