Low divergence pulsed laser - is spark initiated at one end of two parallel metal conductors and has cavity of approx parabolic plan-form

摘要

A pulsed laser provides a low divergence output beam, which is initiated by an electrical discharge at a point towards one end of a pair of parallel flat metal conductors which overlie a shaped cavity containing a gas providing laser amplification. The cavity is approximately parabolic in plan, its focus being close to that for light generated at the initiating end of the two metal strips. The strips and gas cavity is enclosed by transparent walls, the whole being set obliquely across the plan of the parabolic reflector such that the lasing compartment ends emerge from the reflector, the output end being provided with orthodox focussing optics.