DE2232292A1 - DISCHARGE TUBE FOR GAS LASER GENERATORS - Google Patents

Description

on. ^^ - r ^^ oa ^ jTZ.oaoE ^ C 2 5 7

β fv1Ui.aiE.i--, ν- · - " L LO LLO L

30th

COMPAGNIE GENERALE D »ELECTRICITE 54, rue la Boetie, 75-PARIS 8 ° (France)

DISCHARGE TUBES FOR GAS LASER GENERATORS

The invention relates to a discharge tube for gas laser generators.

There are discharge tubes for gas laser generators are known which have an anode and at least one in a housing Have cathode which has at least one projection with a pointed end. The discharge tube also has a counter electrode associated with the cathode, which is provided in the vicinity of the pointed end, but by a solid insulating material is separated and, in contrast to the cathode, is at the positive potential.

er.r.Ka.tOfiLe can be removed from the edges of a metal layer

209882/1104

• · /

are formed, which is applied to a carrier, for example a flat plate, made of a solid insulating material.

With such devices discharges are achieved, which are not very homogeneous.

The aim of the invention is to eliminate this disadvantage and to produce a discharge tube that has a regular, homogeneous ignition guaranteed.

The invention relates to a discharge tube for gas laser generators with an anode and at least one Cathode with at least one projection with a pointed end and with at least one counter-electrode, which is assigned to the cathode is, in contrast to the cathode at positive potential, arranged in the vicinity of the pointed ends and from these and the discharge is separated by a solid insulating material; it is characterized by having at least one having insulated electrical conductor, the one with the counter electrode through the electrical insulating material forms capacitive coupling, wherein the electrical conductor is arranged next to the cathode.

The description contains further features and advantages of the gas laser generator discharge tube according to the invention an embodiment with reference to the drawing, which shows this in section.

The discharge tube consists of a housing 1, for example made of insulating material in which an anode 2 and

209882/1 10A

more what. Cathodes 3, 4 and 5 are arranged; these are from essentially rectilinear, parallel to one another on a solid layer of insulating material 6, for example a flat one Plate, formed opposite the anode 2 applied metal layers. The anode 2 and the cathodes 3, 4 and 5 are in contact the positive or negative terminal of an electrical energy source 7, which is a direct current or a direct voltage supplies. The discharge tube also has a counter electrode 8 made of an electrically conductive material, which is on the solid insulating material opposite the one carrying the cathodes Surface is attached such that the cathodes are separated from the counter electrode 8 by a dielectric. These is at the positive terminal of the energy supply 7 · The discharge tube is also with insulated metallic conductors 9, 10 and 11, which are arranged on the solid insulating material supporting the cathodes 3, 4 and 5, For example, each a conductor between the cathodes, and like the cathodes consist of a metal layer that between the metal layers forming the cathodes, i.e. parallel to these, are provided.

The electrical conductors 9, 10 and 11 form a capacitive coupling with the counter electrode 8 through the insulating material 6 so that homogeneous electrical discharges are achieved when the discharge tube is energized will. Since then the counter electrode 8 at positive potential is applied, in contrast to the potential of the cathodes,

209882/1104 ·· /

the electrical conductors are charged due to their capacitive coupling with the counter electrode and thus cause the Ignition of the electrical discharges between the cathodes and the anode.

In order to prevent arcing between the cathodes 3, and 5 and the conductors 9, 10 and 11, these are «■ as illustrated in the drawing - at 13, 14 and 15 provided with a dielectric layer.

With such a laser discharge tube, the discharges are ignited very regularly and very homogeneously.

The discharge tube according to the invention is an optical one Resonator!; * IJ.raum housed, which is formed by two mirrors, vrird, whose optical axis is essentially with ckr A'-hfir 12 rrjsy

i.:!.;, .. such. Discharge tube can also be used to H ^:. :: ment of a laser amplifier stage can be used.

BATH

_Λ , - claims 209882 / 11QA

Claims (4)

PATENT CLAIMS 1.) Discharge tube for gas laser generators with an anode and at least one cathode with at least one preliminary. jump with a pointed end as well as with at least one counter electrode, which is assigned to the cathode, in contrast to the cathode is at positive potential, arranged in the vicinity of the pointed ends and, of these and the discharge through a solid insulating material is separated, thereby marked t, .that it has at least one insulated electrical conductor (9, 10, 11) that connects to the counter electrode (8) forms a capacitive coupling through the electrical insulating material (6), the electrical conductor (9, 10, 11) is arranged next to the cathode (3, 4, 5). 2. Discharge tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical insulation (6) is designed as a substantially flat plate. 3. Discharge tube according to claim 2, d a d u r c h characterized in that the cathode (3, 4, 5) of a substantially rectilinear metal layer applied to a surface of the plate (6) is formed and that the electrical conductor (9, 10, 11) consists of a metal layer which lies on the surface of the plate (6) on which there is the metal layer that forms the cathode (3, 4, 5) and is applied parallel to this. 20 9882/1104 4. Discharge tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical conductor (9, 10, 11) is provided with a dielectric protective layer (13, 14, 15). 209882/11