Patent ID: 8369373
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. In an RF powered gas-discharge laser, including discharge electrodes and a lasing gas mixture between the electrodes, the lasing gas mixture being ionized when the RF power is applied to the electrodes and laser action being initiated when the RF power has been applied for a duration sufficient to ignite a discharge, a method of pre-ionizing the lasing gas mixture with a series of simmer pulses, comprising the steps of: applying a pulse of RF power to the electrodes to generate a simmer pulse; monitoring RF power reflected back from the electrodes during the application of the RF power pulse; repeating the applying and monitoring steps after a predetermined time period to generate a series of simmer pulses; and whenever the reflected RF power monitored during the application of the RF power pulses falls below a predetermined level indicative of the imminent onset of laser action, terminating the application of the RF power to the electrodes to prevent the laser action from occurring.