Patent ID: 7184204

Claim:
An excimer or molecular fluorine laser system, comprising: a master oscillator including therein a first discharge chamber filled with a first gas mixture, the first discharge chamber containing a pair of electrodes for energizing the gas mixture and generating an optical pulse; a power amplifier including therein a second discharge chamber filled with a second gas mixture, the second discharge chamber containing a pair of electrodes for energizing the gas mixture and amplifying the optical pulse as the optical pulse generated by the master oscillator passes through the power amplifier; and a pulse extender module including a beamsplitting prism for receiving the amplified optical pulse, the beamsplitting prism having a planar first surface capable of reflecting a portion of the amplified optical pulse along an output path and transmitting a portion of the amplified optical pulse through the beamsplitting prism, the transmitted portion passing through a second surface of the beamsplitting prism that is angled with respect to the first surface such that a width of the transmitted portion is increased upon transmission, the transmitted pulse being directed through a delay line and being incident upon a third surface of the prism upon exiting the delay line, the third surface being angled with respect to the first surface such that the transmitted portion is passed as an output portion directed along the output path.