CA1161255A - Fritted laser tube assembly - Google Patents
Fritted laser tube assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1161255A CA1161255A CA000343542A CA343542A CA1161255A CA 1161255 A CA1161255 A CA 1161255A CA 000343542 A CA000343542 A CA 000343542A CA 343542 A CA343542 A CA 343542A CA 1161255 A CA1161255 A CA 1161255A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- laser tube
- glass
- portions
- tube assembly
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
- H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
- H01S3/02—Constructional details
- H01S3/03—Constructional details of gas laser discharge tubes
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Lasers (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A laser tube assembly wherein the component portions of the assembly are held together and thereafter sealed using a glass frit (solder) suspended in a suitable vehicle. The prefabricated component portions of the laser tube assembly are held together by means of an appropriate fixture, glass frit first being applied at the appropriate junctions between the component portions. The fixtured assembly is then placed in an oven, the oven being brought up to a temperature that melts the glass frit and seals the component tube portions together. In internal mirror type lasers wherein a metal end flange is joined to the ends of the glass laser envelope to form part of the overall laser tube assembly, the prefabricated metal end flange is positioned against each end of the glass laser envelope, glass frit being applied between one end of the flange and the ends of the glass envelope prior to the assembly being placed in the oven.
A laser tube assembly wherein the component portions of the assembly are held together and thereafter sealed using a glass frit (solder) suspended in a suitable vehicle. The prefabricated component portions of the laser tube assembly are held together by means of an appropriate fixture, glass frit first being applied at the appropriate junctions between the component portions. The fixtured assembly is then placed in an oven, the oven being brought up to a temperature that melts the glass frit and seals the component tube portions together. In internal mirror type lasers wherein a metal end flange is joined to the ends of the glass laser envelope to form part of the overall laser tube assembly, the prefabricated metal end flange is positioned against each end of the glass laser envelope, glass frit being applied between one end of the flange and the ends of the glass envelope prior to the assembly being placed in the oven.
Description
FRITTED LASER TUBE ASSEMBLY
B~CKGROUND OF THE INVENTI~N
Gas laser tubes have been commercially available for a,number of years and have found many applications, such as in superrnarket scanners, 5 facsimile devices, medical apparatus, surveying systems9 computer printers, etc. Helium-neon gas lasers, in particular, have been most widely utilized in these applications.
Xerox Corporation, Stam~ord, Connecticut, has commercially introduced a facsimile transceiver device, sold as the Xerox R Telecopier E~
10 200 transceiver, which records on plain paper. The transceiver employs a low-energy helium-neon laser and uses the xerographic principle to receive and print messages on ordinary, unsensitized paper. Basically, when the transceiver is in the transmit mode? the laser provides a small stable beam of light to raster scan the original document. The reflected light is detected by a15 photosensor which translates the white and black of the document to electrical logic levels which may be transmitted by a phone line to a remote transceiver set to the receive mode. The receiver transceiver directs the laser beam onto a xerographic drum and by electrically modulating the laser with "I" or "0"
logic levels in synchronism with the transmitter produces a copy o~ the 20 original.
Although gas lasers have found comrnercial acceptance as evidenced by its multiple applications described previously, lasers are still considered to be in its early stages of development and additional applications therefor await further laser improvements. A substantial drawback to the 25 expanded use of lasers is that they are typically not mass produced and therefore the cost per tube is relatively high. In particular, present fabrication techniques require glassblowing skills. The obvious disadvantage is that this technique requires high skill operations which in itself tends to reduce the production rate for such tubes and increases the costs and complexity 30 associated therewith. What would theref or be desired is a fabrication technique wherein the cost of laser tube fabrication and the complexity thereof is substantially reduced.
~ g ~125~
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
A laser tube assembly wherein the component portions of the assembly are held together and thereafter sealed using a glass frit (solder) suspended in a suitable vehicle. In the process of forming the assembly7 the prefabricated compo-nent portions of the laser tube assembly are held together by means of an appropriate fixture~ glass frit first being applied at the appropriate junctions between the component portions. The fixtured assembly is then placed in an oven, the oven being brought up to a temperature that melts the glass fxit and seals the component tube portions together.
In internal mirror type lasers wherein a metal end flange is joined to the ends of the glass laser envelope to form part of the overall laser tube assembly, the prefabricated metal end flange is positioned against each end of the glass laser envelope, glass frit being applied between one end of the flange and the ends of the glass envelope prior to the assembly being placed on the oven~
The technical problem which the present invention is 20 concerned is to provide a method of laser tube fabrication which is relativel~ inexpensive and simplified and which is conducive to mass production oE glass laser tubes. This problem has been overcome by the fabrication method des-cribed hereinbelow.
Thusl an aspect of the invention is as follows:
A method for fabricating a gas laser tube assembly which comprises a plurality of individual component portions~
said plurality of component portions constituting a complete laser tube assembly, comprising the steps of:
applying a sealing material at predetermined areas of said plurality of individual component portions;
assembling said plurality of individual component portions on a fixture in an arrangement which would corres-pond to said complete fabricated gas laser tube assembly if ,~
B~CKGROUND OF THE INVENTI~N
Gas laser tubes have been commercially available for a,number of years and have found many applications, such as in superrnarket scanners, 5 facsimile devices, medical apparatus, surveying systems9 computer printers, etc. Helium-neon gas lasers, in particular, have been most widely utilized in these applications.
Xerox Corporation, Stam~ord, Connecticut, has commercially introduced a facsimile transceiver device, sold as the Xerox R Telecopier E~
10 200 transceiver, which records on plain paper. The transceiver employs a low-energy helium-neon laser and uses the xerographic principle to receive and print messages on ordinary, unsensitized paper. Basically, when the transceiver is in the transmit mode? the laser provides a small stable beam of light to raster scan the original document. The reflected light is detected by a15 photosensor which translates the white and black of the document to electrical logic levels which may be transmitted by a phone line to a remote transceiver set to the receive mode. The receiver transceiver directs the laser beam onto a xerographic drum and by electrically modulating the laser with "I" or "0"
logic levels in synchronism with the transmitter produces a copy o~ the 20 original.
Although gas lasers have found comrnercial acceptance as evidenced by its multiple applications described previously, lasers are still considered to be in its early stages of development and additional applications therefor await further laser improvements. A substantial drawback to the 25 expanded use of lasers is that they are typically not mass produced and therefore the cost per tube is relatively high. In particular, present fabrication techniques require glassblowing skills. The obvious disadvantage is that this technique requires high skill operations which in itself tends to reduce the production rate for such tubes and increases the costs and complexity 30 associated therewith. What would theref or be desired is a fabrication technique wherein the cost of laser tube fabrication and the complexity thereof is substantially reduced.
~ g ~125~
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
A laser tube assembly wherein the component portions of the assembly are held together and thereafter sealed using a glass frit (solder) suspended in a suitable vehicle. In the process of forming the assembly7 the prefabricated compo-nent portions of the laser tube assembly are held together by means of an appropriate fixture~ glass frit first being applied at the appropriate junctions between the component portions. The fixtured assembly is then placed in an oven, the oven being brought up to a temperature that melts the glass fxit and seals the component tube portions together.
In internal mirror type lasers wherein a metal end flange is joined to the ends of the glass laser envelope to form part of the overall laser tube assembly, the prefabricated metal end flange is positioned against each end of the glass laser envelope, glass frit being applied between one end of the flange and the ends of the glass envelope prior to the assembly being placed on the oven~
The technical problem which the present invention is 20 concerned is to provide a method of laser tube fabrication which is relativel~ inexpensive and simplified and which is conducive to mass production oE glass laser tubes. This problem has been overcome by the fabrication method des-cribed hereinbelow.
Thusl an aspect of the invention is as follows:
A method for fabricating a gas laser tube assembly which comprises a plurality of individual component portions~
said plurality of component portions constituting a complete laser tube assembly, comprising the steps of:
applying a sealing material at predetermined areas of said plurality of individual component portions;
assembling said plurality of individual component portions on a fixture in an arrangement which would corres-pond to said complete fabricated gas laser tube assembly if ,~
2 ~ S
-2a-the plurality of individual components were sealed to adja-cent components;
placing said fixture with said plurality of compo-nent portions thereon in heating means; and energizing said heating means in a manner such that heat is applied to said plurality of component portions whereb~ said sealing material melts and thereafter causes each said component portion to be sealed to the component portion adjacent to said melted sealing material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof 7 reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the following figures wherein:
Figures lla)-l(e) shows in a simplified manner the prior art method of fabricating gas lasers;
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a gas laser tube ~abricated in accordance with the l:eachings of the present invention; and Figure 3 illustrates the component portions of the gas laser tube of the present invention held together by a fixture.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In order to put the present invention in a better perspective, a description of a method presently utili~ed in laser tube fabrication will be first set forth. A
comparison can then be made of the relative inexpensive and ~3 3 2 ~ 5 simple method for fabricating laser tubes which has been provided by the presen1 invention.
The laser tube assembly, it should be noted, which results from the prior art techniques and that formed by the process of the present invention 5 are essentially the same.
Further, although the method described will be with reference to fabricating helium-neon gas tubes, the method can be utilized for any type of gas laser tube, including, for example, helium-cadmium and argon gas laser tubes.
Figures la-le illustrate, in a simplified form, the typical steps which have been utilized in the prior art to fabricate laser tubes. In particular, the figures illustrate the basic fabrication technique which have been utilized by Xerox Corporation to manufacture helium-neon laser tubes.
In the initial step, an apertured flange member 10, preferably made 5 of Kovar, is positioned on a holding fixture ~not shown). The -flange 10 can be ~_~, fabricated utilizing ordinary stamping machines.
In the second step (Figure lb), a length of precision cut glass tubing 12, which will form a portion of the envelople of the assembled gas laser tube, is mounted in a lathe (not shown). The sealing area 1~ of flange 10 is cleaned 20 and oxidi~ed in a process to be described in rnore detail hereinafter. A bead of glass 16 is applied to the seal area 1~ and glass tubin~ portion 12 is positioned in contact with bead 16. A gas torch (not shown) is applied to the bead 16 as the lathe is rotated to thereby form a seal between flange 10 and tubing 12, therebyforming the anode envelope portion oE the assembled gas laser ~ube. It should 25 be noted at this point that this sealing procedure is time consuming and reqllires the precision skills of a person trained in the art of glass blowing. In r the step shown in Figure l(c), a length of electrode wire 18, preferably made of A Kovar~has a glass bead 20 formed thereon. The electrode wire 18 is then inserted into glass tubing portion 22, the glass bead 20 being torch heated, forming a glass melt 24 which acts to seal wire 18 to glass portion 22, thereby forming an electrode assembly portion 26. This portion is then positioned about glass envelope portion 12 (Figure l[b)), and a hole 28 is blown in the envelope as assernbly 26 is sealed to the envelope~ Since, as will be described ~ r~
`;
~ 1 6î~5 hereinbelow, flange 10 will be considered the anode electrode in the fabricated tube assembly, assembly 26 is r eferred to as the anode electrode assembly portion.
Figure l(d) illustrates the step in forming the laser bore tube 30 with its associated support member. In particular, a precision cut cylindrical piece of glass tubing 31 has a flange or skirt member 32 sealed thereto by the glass bead/torch technique described hereinabove.
Figure l(e) illustrates the right hand, or cathode envelope portion
-2a-the plurality of individual components were sealed to adja-cent components;
placing said fixture with said plurality of compo-nent portions thereon in heating means; and energizing said heating means in a manner such that heat is applied to said plurality of component portions whereb~ said sealing material melts and thereafter causes each said component portion to be sealed to the component portion adjacent to said melted sealing material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof 7 reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the following figures wherein:
Figures lla)-l(e) shows in a simplified manner the prior art method of fabricating gas lasers;
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a gas laser tube ~abricated in accordance with the l:eachings of the present invention; and Figure 3 illustrates the component portions of the gas laser tube of the present invention held together by a fixture.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In order to put the present invention in a better perspective, a description of a method presently utili~ed in laser tube fabrication will be first set forth. A
comparison can then be made of the relative inexpensive and ~3 3 2 ~ 5 simple method for fabricating laser tubes which has been provided by the presen1 invention.
The laser tube assembly, it should be noted, which results from the prior art techniques and that formed by the process of the present invention 5 are essentially the same.
Further, although the method described will be with reference to fabricating helium-neon gas tubes, the method can be utilized for any type of gas laser tube, including, for example, helium-cadmium and argon gas laser tubes.
Figures la-le illustrate, in a simplified form, the typical steps which have been utilized in the prior art to fabricate laser tubes. In particular, the figures illustrate the basic fabrication technique which have been utilized by Xerox Corporation to manufacture helium-neon laser tubes.
In the initial step, an apertured flange member 10, preferably made 5 of Kovar, is positioned on a holding fixture ~not shown). The -flange 10 can be ~_~, fabricated utilizing ordinary stamping machines.
In the second step (Figure lb), a length of precision cut glass tubing 12, which will form a portion of the envelople of the assembled gas laser tube, is mounted in a lathe (not shown). The sealing area 1~ of flange 10 is cleaned 20 and oxidi~ed in a process to be described in rnore detail hereinafter. A bead of glass 16 is applied to the seal area 1~ and glass tubin~ portion 12 is positioned in contact with bead 16. A gas torch (not shown) is applied to the bead 16 as the lathe is rotated to thereby form a seal between flange 10 and tubing 12, therebyforming the anode envelope portion oE the assembled gas laser ~ube. It should 25 be noted at this point that this sealing procedure is time consuming and reqllires the precision skills of a person trained in the art of glass blowing. In r the step shown in Figure l(c), a length of electrode wire 18, preferably made of A Kovar~has a glass bead 20 formed thereon. The electrode wire 18 is then inserted into glass tubing portion 22, the glass bead 20 being torch heated, forming a glass melt 24 which acts to seal wire 18 to glass portion 22, thereby forming an electrode assembly portion 26. This portion is then positioned about glass envelope portion 12 (Figure l[b)), and a hole 28 is blown in the envelope as assernbly 26 is sealed to the envelope~ Since, as will be described ~ r~
`;
~ 1 6î~5 hereinbelow, flange 10 will be considered the anode electrode in the fabricated tube assembly, assembly 26 is r eferred to as the anode electrode assembly portion.
Figure l(d) illustrates the step in forming the laser bore tube 30 with its associated support member. In particular, a precision cut cylindrical piece of glass tubing 31 has a flange or skirt member 32 sealed thereto by the glass bead/torch technique described hereinabove.
Figure l(e) illustrates the right hand, or cathode envelope portion
3~ of the laser tube assembly. This portion is fabricated in the same manner in which the anode envelope shown in Figure l(b) portion was fabricated and includes precision cut glass tubing 36, Kovar flange member 38 and cathode electrode assembly 40 which was fabricated in a similar manner as the anode electrode assembly 22. The bore tube assembly 30 is placed on a fixture 42, a portion of which is only shown, and the hore tube assembly 30 is inserted concentrically within the laser tube envelope 41 which comprises envelope portions 12 and 36. The disc shaped member 32 is positioned adjacent the area 46 wherein the anode and cathode envelope portions 12 and 36 are joined together. ~ glass bead ~ is applied around the circum~erence of the joined envelope ends, the lathe mandrel holding the assembly ~eing rotated. A torch is applied to glass bead 48, causing the envelope portions 12 and 36 to be sealed to each other, the top of the disc 32 in turn being sealed to the tube envelope at area 46.
At this point in the laser tu~e fa~rication process it can be seen that the steps required are complex and require relatively large amounts of time and the skills of a glassblower. In contradistinction thereto, the process of the present invention described hereinbelow with reference to Figure 2 can be accomplished quickly and economically without the skills required of a glassblower.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of a gas laser tube fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The figure has been simplified for purposes of clarity and unders~anding.
Metal end flanges 50 and 52, typically made from Carpenter ~9 alloy, can be fabricated by standard type stamping machines. ~la~ss tubing l ~ 61~5~
porions 54 and 56, which when assembled will comprise the laser tube envelope, are formed from standard glass stock9 such as 0120 glass, and are cut to very close tolerances on a wet wheel machine. A length of cylindrical glass tubing 58, which forms the laser bore tube, is similarly fabricated. A glass dlsc member 60, which forms the support member for the bore tube 58 within the tube envelope and an impedance means to force the laser tube discharge through the bore tube 58, is positioned around the bore tube 58 as illustrated.
Glass frit 62 is thereafter applied to the assembly as shown in the figure. In particular, frit 62 is placed on the flat side of metal flange 50, on the adjacent end of tube por~ion 54, at the contact area between bore tube 58 and glass disc 60, at the ends of tube portions 54 and 56 which will contact glass disc member 60 when assembled, at the other end of glass tube portion 62 and the flat end of flange member 52. It should be noted that cathode and anode electrode pins could be formed on the envelope itself, as shown in Figure 1, in lieu of the electrode connections shown in Figure 2. A nickel or copper evacuating tube 64 is formed in flange 52 and utilized to both evacuate the assembled tube and thereafter fill the tube with the lasing medium gases.
The portions S0, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 of the laser tube are then positioned on an appropriate fixutre, such as fixture 70 shown in Figure 3, and then placed into a batch oven (not shown). The oven temperature is then raised to a temperature that melts the glass frit 62, thereby sealing the metal and glass portions together.
The fixture 70 comprises end members 72 and 74, preferably disk shaped7 and rods 76 and 78 secured to end member 72. The ends of rods 76 and 78 are securable in aper~ures 80 and 82 formed in end member 74, end member 74 being detachable frorn the structure comprising end member 72 and rods 76 and 78. Secured to end member 72 is a cylindrical member, or mandrel 84, member 84 having a further extension 86 of a smaller diameter thereon.
Secured to end member 74 is a cylindrical member, or mandrel 88, member 88 having a further extension 90 of a smaller diameter thereon. As shown, the flange members 50 and 52 are supported on members 84 and 88, respectively, envelope portions 54 and 56 positioned and held as shown by the fixture structure and the bore 58 is supported by extensions 86 and ~0. The two piece fixture shown, preferably made of stainless steel, holds the laser -~ube dimensions, the tube components in the position shown and the bore 58 concentric with the flanges 50 and 52. When placed in the oven, the fixture 70 is positioned vertically (end member 74 above and member 72) thereinO End 5 member 74 is weighted to press the laser tube components together ~pressure-flow method) to make the seal and hold the linear dimensions.
A helium-neon laser tube was typically fabricated as Eollowso (I) the materials, both glass and metal, which comprise the laser assembly are selected to be closely matching in thermal expansion. In the preferred embodiment, metal fla~ges 50 and 52 were formed from 0.020 inch thick Carpenter 49 metal, the code utilized by the Carpenter Steel Company, Reading, Pennsylvania to describe a metal alloy comprising 49% nickel and 51%
iron, and the glass tubing selected comprised Corning code number 0120, manufactured by the Corning Glass Works, Corning, New York (glass tubing sections 54 and 56 were selected to be one inch in diameter and bore member 58 was selected to be 0.112 inch in diameter).
(~) Metal flanges 50 and 52 were degreased in an acetone bath, fired in wet hydrogen at 1û00C for approximately 30 minutes and then vapor blasted with pure aluminum oxide to a matte finish at the seal area.
(3) The glass frit (or solder glass) 62, selected -to be No. 89 Pyroceram~a finely powdered glass composition, manufactured by the Corning Glass Works Company, was applied to ~he assembly portion as shown. The glass frit, is held in suspension by a low viscosity vehicle, such as amylacetate containing approximately one percent mitrocellulose binder.
At this point in the laser tu~e fa~rication process it can be seen that the steps required are complex and require relatively large amounts of time and the skills of a glassblower. In contradistinction thereto, the process of the present invention described hereinbelow with reference to Figure 2 can be accomplished quickly and economically without the skills required of a glassblower.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of a gas laser tube fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The figure has been simplified for purposes of clarity and unders~anding.
Metal end flanges 50 and 52, typically made from Carpenter ~9 alloy, can be fabricated by standard type stamping machines. ~la~ss tubing l ~ 61~5~
porions 54 and 56, which when assembled will comprise the laser tube envelope, are formed from standard glass stock9 such as 0120 glass, and are cut to very close tolerances on a wet wheel machine. A length of cylindrical glass tubing 58, which forms the laser bore tube, is similarly fabricated. A glass dlsc member 60, which forms the support member for the bore tube 58 within the tube envelope and an impedance means to force the laser tube discharge through the bore tube 58, is positioned around the bore tube 58 as illustrated.
Glass frit 62 is thereafter applied to the assembly as shown in the figure. In particular, frit 62 is placed on the flat side of metal flange 50, on the adjacent end of tube por~ion 54, at the contact area between bore tube 58 and glass disc 60, at the ends of tube portions 54 and 56 which will contact glass disc member 60 when assembled, at the other end of glass tube portion 62 and the flat end of flange member 52. It should be noted that cathode and anode electrode pins could be formed on the envelope itself, as shown in Figure 1, in lieu of the electrode connections shown in Figure 2. A nickel or copper evacuating tube 64 is formed in flange 52 and utilized to both evacuate the assembled tube and thereafter fill the tube with the lasing medium gases.
The portions S0, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 of the laser tube are then positioned on an appropriate fixutre, such as fixture 70 shown in Figure 3, and then placed into a batch oven (not shown). The oven temperature is then raised to a temperature that melts the glass frit 62, thereby sealing the metal and glass portions together.
The fixture 70 comprises end members 72 and 74, preferably disk shaped7 and rods 76 and 78 secured to end member 72. The ends of rods 76 and 78 are securable in aper~ures 80 and 82 formed in end member 74, end member 74 being detachable frorn the structure comprising end member 72 and rods 76 and 78. Secured to end member 72 is a cylindrical member, or mandrel 84, member 84 having a further extension 86 of a smaller diameter thereon.
Secured to end member 74 is a cylindrical member, or mandrel 88, member 88 having a further extension 90 of a smaller diameter thereon. As shown, the flange members 50 and 52 are supported on members 84 and 88, respectively, envelope portions 54 and 56 positioned and held as shown by the fixture structure and the bore 58 is supported by extensions 86 and ~0. The two piece fixture shown, preferably made of stainless steel, holds the laser -~ube dimensions, the tube components in the position shown and the bore 58 concentric with the flanges 50 and 52. When placed in the oven, the fixture 70 is positioned vertically (end member 74 above and member 72) thereinO End 5 member 74 is weighted to press the laser tube components together ~pressure-flow method) to make the seal and hold the linear dimensions.
A helium-neon laser tube was typically fabricated as Eollowso (I) the materials, both glass and metal, which comprise the laser assembly are selected to be closely matching in thermal expansion. In the preferred embodiment, metal fla~ges 50 and 52 were formed from 0.020 inch thick Carpenter 49 metal, the code utilized by the Carpenter Steel Company, Reading, Pennsylvania to describe a metal alloy comprising 49% nickel and 51%
iron, and the glass tubing selected comprised Corning code number 0120, manufactured by the Corning Glass Works, Corning, New York (glass tubing sections 54 and 56 were selected to be one inch in diameter and bore member 58 was selected to be 0.112 inch in diameter).
(~) Metal flanges 50 and 52 were degreased in an acetone bath, fired in wet hydrogen at 1û00C for approximately 30 minutes and then vapor blasted with pure aluminum oxide to a matte finish at the seal area.
(3) The glass frit (or solder glass) 62, selected -to be No. 89 Pyroceram~a finely powdered glass composition, manufactured by the Corning Glass Works Company, was applied to ~he assembly portion as shown. The glass frit, is held in suspension by a low viscosity vehicle, such as amylacetate containing approximately one percent mitrocellulose binder.
(4) The entire assembly, as shown in the figure, was positioned in a fixture, the fixture being utilized to hold the component parts in the assembledposition, and thereafter placed in a batch oven.
(5) After the batch oven is raised to the temperature required to melt the glass frit (approxima-tely 440C~, the portions are then sealed to eachother and the assembly similar to that shown in Figure l(e) is produced.
In particular, the steps for forming the seal are as follows:
The glass frit slurry is allowed to dry for a period of approximately 15 hours to form a hardened powder. The amylacetate is substantially ~r f r d~e ~
~ :~ 6;~ 255 volatilized during the drying process and the hardened powder excess may be dressed by standaxd techniques.
The assembly is then placed in a fixture and then put into an oven, the fixture being arranged to hold the laser tube portions to very close tolerances.
The temperature of the oven is then brought to approximately 350C for about 30 minutes to burn off any organic binders in the hardened powder. The temperature then is increased to the fritting temperature Of approximately 440C for 50 minutes, duriny which time the hardened powder~ including the glass frit, surrounds and wets the contacting areas of the portions and permits the formation of a seal and subsequent devitrifi-cation. The oven is then cooled slowly to approximately 150C whereby the portions are hard sealed to each other.
The specific steps for forming the seal are described in Xerox Corporation U.S. Patent No. 4,233,568, issuad November 11, 1980.
Although not shown in the figure, laser tube mirror assemblies, produced in accordance with the technique described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent 4,233,568, are welded by standard techniques to metal flanges 50 and 52, thereby providing an int~rnal mirror type gas laser tube. An alignment fixture which can be utilized to adjust the laser end mirrors is described in Xerox Corporation U.S. Patent No. 4,149,779, issued April 17, 1979 and can be adapted for use in the present invention.
The fabricated laser tube assembly, including the laser tube mirror assemblies, is then baked and evacuated to a low pressure to produce outgassing of the envelope and associated parts before the envelope is filled with the lasing gaseous medium through tube 64.
While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be under-stood by those skilled in the art that various changesmay be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements ..
thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications ma~
be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teaching of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.
In particular, the steps for forming the seal are as follows:
The glass frit slurry is allowed to dry for a period of approximately 15 hours to form a hardened powder. The amylacetate is substantially ~r f r d~e ~
~ :~ 6;~ 255 volatilized during the drying process and the hardened powder excess may be dressed by standaxd techniques.
The assembly is then placed in a fixture and then put into an oven, the fixture being arranged to hold the laser tube portions to very close tolerances.
The temperature of the oven is then brought to approximately 350C for about 30 minutes to burn off any organic binders in the hardened powder. The temperature then is increased to the fritting temperature Of approximately 440C for 50 minutes, duriny which time the hardened powder~ including the glass frit, surrounds and wets the contacting areas of the portions and permits the formation of a seal and subsequent devitrifi-cation. The oven is then cooled slowly to approximately 150C whereby the portions are hard sealed to each other.
The specific steps for forming the seal are described in Xerox Corporation U.S. Patent No. 4,233,568, issuad November 11, 1980.
Although not shown in the figure, laser tube mirror assemblies, produced in accordance with the technique described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent 4,233,568, are welded by standard techniques to metal flanges 50 and 52, thereby providing an int~rnal mirror type gas laser tube. An alignment fixture which can be utilized to adjust the laser end mirrors is described in Xerox Corporation U.S. Patent No. 4,149,779, issued April 17, 1979 and can be adapted for use in the present invention.
The fabricated laser tube assembly, including the laser tube mirror assemblies, is then baked and evacuated to a low pressure to produce outgassing of the envelope and associated parts before the envelope is filled with the lasing gaseous medium through tube 64.
While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be under-stood by those skilled in the art that various changesmay be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements ..
thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications ma~
be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teaching of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.
Claims (7)
1. A method for fabricating a gas laser tube assembly which comprises a plurality of individual component portions, said plurality of component portions constituting a complete laser tube assembly, comprising the steps of:
applying a sealing material at predetermined areas of said plurality of individual component portions;
assembling said plurality of individual component portions on a fixture in an arrangement which would corres-pond to said complete fabricated gas laser tube assembly if the plurality of individual components were sealed to adja-cent components;
placing said fixture with said plurality of compo-nent portions thereon in heating means; and energizing said heating means in a manner such that heat is applied to said plurality of component portions whereby said sealing material melts and thereafter causes each said component portion to be sealed to the component portion adjacent to said melted sealing material.
applying a sealing material at predetermined areas of said plurality of individual component portions;
assembling said plurality of individual component portions on a fixture in an arrangement which would corres-pond to said complete fabricated gas laser tube assembly if the plurality of individual components were sealed to adja-cent components;
placing said fixture with said plurality of compo-nent portions thereon in heating means; and energizing said heating means in a manner such that heat is applied to said plurality of component portions whereby said sealing material melts and thereafter causes each said component portion to be sealed to the component portion adjacent to said melted sealing material.
2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said heat-ing means are energized for a predetermined time period and wherein the sealing of each component portion to an adjacent component portion occurs during, said predetermined time period, whereby a complete gas laser tube assembly is fabricated.
3. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said seal-ing material comprises a glass frit.
4. The method as defined in claim 3 wherein said com-ponent portions include a glass envelope, a laser bore tube and members sealed to each end of said glass envelope.
5. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein said end members comprises apertured metal flanges.
6. The method as defined in claim 5 wherein apertured mirror end assemblies are affixed to said apertured metal flanges to form an internal mirror type gas laser tube.
7. The gas laser tube assembly fabricated in accor-dance with the method of claim 4.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US1720179A | 1979-03-02 | 1979-03-02 | |
| US017,201 | 1979-03-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1161255A true CA1161255A (en) | 1984-01-31 |
Family
ID=21781292
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000343542A Expired CA1161255A (en) | 1979-03-02 | 1980-01-11 | Fritted laser tube assembly |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS55120188A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1161255A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2450516A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2044243B (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0384933B1 (en) * | 1989-03-02 | 1993-06-23 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Gas laser and method of producing same |
| DE4017188A1 (en) * | 1990-05-29 | 1991-12-05 | Bodenseewerk Geraetetech | GAS RING LASER |
| CN106898938A (en) * | 2017-04-21 | 2017-06-27 | 北京镭海激光科技有限公司 | A kind of CO 2 laser tube with vacuum flange component of new construction |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3887883A (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-06-03 | Lewayne E Garman | Gas laser tube and method of fabricating same |
-
1980
- 1980-01-11 CA CA000343542A patent/CA1161255A/en not_active Expired
- 1980-02-18 FR FR8003471A patent/FR2450516A1/en active Granted
- 1980-02-22 JP JP2152880A patent/JPS55120188A/en active Pending
- 1980-02-28 GB GB8006736A patent/GB2044243B/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2450516A1 (en) | 1980-09-26 |
| FR2450516B1 (en) | 1983-04-01 |
| GB2044243B (en) | 1983-04-20 |
| GB2044243A (en) | 1980-10-15 |
| JPS55120188A (en) | 1980-09-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |