Spectra-physics Gmbh

Kenneth A Ruddock

David L Wright

Lee R Carlson

Alan B Petersen

Marc K Von Gunten

Gary W DeBell

An optical component of a laser, of the type including a hot gas plasma region, a cold gas region, and producing large photon fluxes, includes an optical element and a coating means on a surface of the optical element exposed to the photon fluxes. The coating means is comprised of a material adapted to minimize photoreduction of the optical element induced by exposure to the photon fluxes. Optical elements of the present invention include windows, birefringent plates, intracavity lenses, polarizers and mirrors. The coating means includes a material selected from the group comprising Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, BeO, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgO, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, Sc.sub.2 O.sub.3, LiF, NdF.sub.3, ThF.sub.4, Na.sub.3 AlF.sub.6, and mixtures thereof.

Optical component of a laser

An optical component of a laser of the type including a hot gas plasma region, a cold gas region and producing large photon fluxed includes an optical element and a coating means on a surface of the optical element exposed to the photon fluxes. The coating means is comprised of a material adapted to minimize photoreduction of the optical element induced by exposure to the photon fluxes. Optical elements of the present invention include windows, birefringent plates, intra-cavity lenses, polarizers and mirrors.

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Los Altos Hills, CA, United States of America

Kenneth A Ruddock