| 摘要 |
<p>A radio frequency (RF)-excited waveguide laser of improved efficiency is disclosed. Features which contribute to efficiency include a constriction in the RF cavity cross section which effects an intense, uniform electric field in the gas discharge region, discontinuities in the electrode surfaces bounding the discharge gap region which defeat longitudinal resonances in the RF cavity and thereby provide longitudinal uniformity in the gap region electric field, and dielectric tube(s) for confining gas in the discharge gap region. Additional versions of the invention include open-loop and closed-loop frequency tuning of the laser RF cavity and modular RF cavities which can be connected to achieve higher optical output power. The figure is a pictorial diagram of a preferred embodiment of the laser system (231). An RF discharge in constricted region (233) is created between slotted upper and lower surfaces (235 and 237) bounding the constricted region (233). The lower surfaces (235 and 237) bounding the constricted region (233). The discharge gas is confined within an electric tube (239) sealed with integral laser windows (241).</p> |
