Patent ID: 6493375
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An adjustable mounting unit for an optical element of a gas laser comprising a tube having a first end wall at one end and a second end wall at the other end and an optical axis extending longitudinally through the tube, wherein the tube defines a cavity for containing a laser gas therein, and the first end wall includes a port through which the optical axis of the laser passes, said mounting unit comprising:a rigid support structure, said support structure including an aperture; an optical element mounted within said aperture; a first, a second, and a third adjustable mounting device to attach said support structure to a first, second, and third mounting point on the laser, respectively, that are displaced in an axial direction by substantially the same amount due to dimensional changes in the laser occurring during the operation of the laser; wherein when attached to said laser, said rigid support is spaced apart from said laser tube, said aperture and optical element are disposed transverse to the optical axis and are aligned with the optical axis, and adjustment of said first, second, or third adjustable mounting devices changes the angular position of said optical element relative to the optical axis; and wherein each of the adjustable mounting devices comprises: a stud bolt having a first threaded end, a second threaded end, and a body portion interposed between the first threaded end and the second end that is larger in diameter than the first and second threaded ends, the first threaded end being slideably received in a hole in said support structure and extending through said hole, and the second threaded end being used to attach said support structure to the laser; a coil spring having a first end and a second end, said coil spring being slideably carried on the body portion of said stud bolt; an adjusting nut threaded onto said first threaded end so that the support structure is slideably interposed between said adjusting nut and the first end of said coil spring; wherein when said second threaded end of said stud bolt is attached to said laser, said spring biases said support structure away from said second threaded end of said stud bolt and toward said adjusting nut.