Hughes Aircraft Company

J Samuel Mueller

Paul F Robusto

Michael T Braski

Richard A Tilton

John C Hamacher

Dwight H Everett

An RF laser structure (10) is disclosed which includes an elongated laser excitation cavity (27) and an electrode structure (20) for suppressing extraneous RF discharges outside of the laser cavity. The electrode structure includes an electrode (41) adjacent the elongated laser cavity (27) and extending along the laser cavity; a conductive structure (43, 45) adjacent and conductively coupled to the electrodes (41) for shielding the electrode and for providing smooth conductive surfaces; and a dielectric filler (47) encapsulating the electrode and the conductive structure, and for controlling the electric field generated by the electrode structure so that extraneous discharges are suppressed. Also disclosed is a method for making a laser electrode structure which includes the steps of forming an electrode adjacent the elongated laser cavity, and encapsulating the electrodes with a dielectric potting material.

Method of making a laser electrode structure

An RF laser structure (10) is disclosed which includes an elongated laser excitation cavity (27) and an electrode structure (20) for suppressing extraneous RF discharges outside of the laser cavity. The electrode structure includes an electrode (41) adjacent the elongated laser cavity (27) and extending along the laser cavity; a conductive structure (43, 45) adjacent and conductively coupled to the electrode (41) for shielding the electrode and for providing smooth conductive surfaces; and a dielectric filler (47) encapsulating the electrode and the conductive structure, and for controlling the electric field generated by the electrode structure so that extraneous discharges are suppressed. Also disclosed is a method for making a laser electrode structure which includes the steps of forming an electrode adjacent the elongated laser cavity, and encapsulating the electrode with a dielectric potting material.

Growing community of inventors

Manhattan Beach, CA, United States of America

J Samuel Mueller