Patent ID: 7693207
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A pre-ionizer for a gas-discharge laser, comprising: a metal body attachable to the gas-discharge laser and having a passage extending therethrough; a membrane of a dielectric material sealably retained within the metal body and closing one end of the passage through the metal body; a planar electrode retained within the metal body, in contact with the dielectric membrane on one side thereof and electrically isolated from the metal body such that when the pre-ionizer is attached to the gas discharge laser via the metal body and an RF potential is applied across the planar electrode and the metal body, a gas discharge is formed in the passage on the side of the dielectric membrane opposite the electrode; and a dielectric sleeve extending from the dielectric membrane on the side thereof opposite the planar electrode and extending within said passage and configured to prevent the gas discharge from contacting the inner surface of the passage.