Closed-cycle annular-flow-return laser

Abstract

A compact, high repetition rate, closed-cycle rare-gas laser has been achieved in a novel design utilizing an annular flow return surrounding the laser flow channel. The 112-cm long by 30.5-cm-diam. laser head is compact and attractive for portable applications. High repetition rate (to 15 kHz) multiline laser operation has been achieved in high-pressure (to 2 atm) mixtures of Ne–Xe (6 lines), Ar–Xe (7 lines), He–Xe (9 lines), He–Kr (4 lines), and He–Ar (3 lines). Reliable long lifetime performance has been demonstrated by operating a He–Xe laser continuously for 100 hours at a pulse-repetition rate of 5 kHz (1.8×109 pulses) with no degradation of the 1.1-W average laser output power.