APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPLENISHING LASER DYE SOLUTION

摘要

In a dye laser system, a porous bed filter (40) is loaded with dye prior to operation of the system. With repeated firings, the dye solution is filtered by the porous bed filter (40) to remove by-products of the laser process. Solute concentration is monitored (52) and dye and additives removed by the filter (40) are replenished by a metering pump (42). Precise temperature control (56) assures consistent filtering of dye by the filter (40) for more consistent color and energy output. To control (48) the metering pump (42), the differential output of a two-channel absorption detector (68, 70) is digitized (76). The digitized signal is loaded into a counter (78) which drives the metering pump (42). The useful lifetime of the dye solution is enhanced by incorporating pH buffers in the solution.