Patent ID: 6556613
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A molecular fluorine laser, comprising:a discharge chamber filled with a laser active gas mixture including molecular fluorine and including multiple electrodes for exciting the molecular fluorine; an optical resonator including the discharge chamber and an outcoupling unit for partially reflecting incident light back along an optical axis; a housing containing the laser active gas mixture for emitting a broad spectral band of light, at least a portion of said laser active gas mixture filling said discharge chamber; and a wavelength selection unit within said housing, wherein no additional enclosure for containing the wavelength selection unit is coupled to the housing through any window sealing the gas mixture within said housing while permitting tight generated within said discharge chamber to exit said housing and enter the additional enclosure, impinge upon the wavelength selection unit, and reflect back through said window into the housing, thereby preventing losses incurred due to the beam passing through said window.