Ion Laser Technology

Kevin D Ostler

A laser that is capable of producing light from a chosen group of frequencies not adequate or available using a single gas laser is provided. The laser is capable of producing selected and well defined light wavelengths. The laser is also capable of eliminating unwanted frequencies in order to prevent such frequencies from competing with (robbing power from) the desired wavelengths. The laser constitutes a multiple gas laser. A combination of argon and krypton is used. Argon is known to produce a good blue laser beam in the area of 488 nm. Mixed with the argon is krypton. Krypton also produces a blue output at 482 nm and 476 nm. In addition, krypton produces strong outputs in red, yellow, and green wavelengths (647 nm, 568 nm, and 529 nm respectively). Accordingly, access to each of these colors is provided by the argon-krypton in the mixture. Certain light frequencies are unnecessary and undesirable. Elimination of undesirable wavelengths is accomplished primarily through the optics used. Optics are chosen which transmit unwanted wavelengths. As a result no lasing action takes place at the unwanted wavelengths.

Mixed gas ion laser

The present invention automatically compensates for thermally induced changes in the index of refraction. This is accomplished by choosing materials from which to construct the rods such that the position of the optical elements are changed in an advantageous manner as temperatures change. For example, a pair of upper rods and a pair of lower rods are provided. The upper rods may be constructed of INVAR or other similar material with a very low coefficient of thermal expansion. The two lower rods, however, are constructed of a composite of materials having a chosen higher coefficient of thermal expansion. For example, rods may be provided which are approximately 50% to approximately 75% INVAR. The remainder of the rods are comprised of a material of a much higher coefficient of thermal expansion, such as stainless steel. the result of such a construction is that as the temperature of the device rises, the lower rods expand at a much faster rate than do the upper rods. This results in a tilting of the end plates and a resulting tilting of the prism mounted thereto. The optical elements on the end plates are titled such that tilting compensates for the change in the index of refraction encountered by the optical element.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Kevin D Ostler