Gas laser resonator with optimum cooling system

摘要

The resonator includes a ceramic discharge tube (1) that is filled with a gaseous active medium and has an electrode (2) set into the end to excite the gas. The generated plasma is at high temperature and is cooled by a surrounding unit (3) that has embedded channels (4) through which a cooling fluid is circulated. The electrode is also cooled by an element that is in close contact with a copper band located between the parts. A gap (7) is provided between the main cooling unit and the electrode cooler to allow for different expansion rates and this contains a layer of electrically insulating foil material.