Gas discharge tube having a hollow cathode for a metal vapour laser

摘要

The gas discharge tube having a hollow cathode for a metal vapour laser consists of a vacuum-tight housing (1) in which an anode (2) and a helical hollow cathode (3) are arranged. The hollow cathode (3) is produced from a metal tube in which the active metallic medium (4) is inserted. Openings (5) are constructed in the upper inner part of the metal tube and are distributed uniformly over its length. A resistance wire which is connected to a supply source is arranged in the hollow cathode (3), according to its length. The advantages of the gas discharge tube according to the invention are the increased effectiveness as well as the increased stability of laser generation because of the uniform concentration of the vapour of the highly volatile metal in the discharge zone. <IMAGE>