Patent ID: 6963596
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A gas laser including two elongated slab electrodes arranged face-to-face defining a gap therebetween, the electrodes being located in an enclosure containing a laser gas at reduced pressure, the laser gas filling the gap between the slab electrodes, the laser being energized by applying electrical power across the slab electrodes thereby igniting a first gas discharge in the laser gas between the electrodes, the laser further comprising: first and second spaced apart ionizer electrodes; a dielectric jacket surrounding and sealing said electrodes, said jacket including a recess disposed between said electrodes, said jacketed electrodes extending into the enclosure at a location spaced from said slab electrodes; and a circuit for applying RF power to said dielectric-jacketed ionizer electrodes in order to create a second gas discharge in said space between said ionizer electrodes, said second gas discharge providing ions in the laser gas and thereby facilitating ignition of said first gas discharge.