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Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

William A Fitzsimmons

Louis A Rosocha

James E Lawler

Louis W Anderson

A discharge device (10) is disclosed which is capable of providing preionizing ultraviolet wave length photons to the area of a gap between the first (15) and second (35) electrodes of the device. The first electrode (15) includes a core (20) of dielectric material, a conductive plate (23) mounted on one surface of the core, and a conductive grid (26) mounted on an opposed surface of the core which faces the second electrode. The application of a negative voltage pulse to the grid (26), while the plate (23) is maintained at substantially ground potential, causes electrons to discharge between the conductors of the grid and the adjacent surface of the dielectric core, and, in doing so, generates photons having wavelengths in the ultraviolet range. The ultraviolet photons, which are emanated in a two dimensionally uniform pattern over the surface of the dielectric core adjacent the grid, cause ionization of the gas within the main discharge gap between the first and second electrodes. The second electrode may be maintained at ground or other potential higher than the grid such that a sufficient potential difference reached between the second electrode and the grid after the preionization will result in a uniform glow discharge of electrons between the two electrodes. This glow discharge is useful for the firing of gas lasers and in certain chemical reactors, such as ozone generators.

Dielectric surface electrical discharge device

A device particularly suited for use in optics, having a planar sine plate mounted for rotation about a lateral axis, with the sine plate being capable of holding an optical device such as a diffraction grating. A pivot arm member is mounted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the sine plate, and is in contact with the end of the plate over a portion of its rotational displacement. A calibrated drive such as a micrometer is mounted in position to make contact with the pivot arm near the end thereof, to drive the pivot arm inwardly and outwardly a determinable longitudinal distance. The distance that the pivot arm is driven by the micrometer is related to the angle of the plate as it rotates in contact with the pivot arm. Means are provided for minimizing frictional resistance at the contact between the pivot arm and the plate and between the pivot arm and the drive member of the micrometer.

Device for determining angles

A pulsed gas laser is constituted by Blumlein circuits wherein space metal plates function both as capacitors and transmission lines coupling high frequency oscillations to a gas filled laser tube. The tube itself is formed by spaced metal side walls which function as connections to the electrodes to provide for a high frequency, high voltage discharge in the tube to cause the gas to lase. Also shown is a spark gap switch having structural features permitting a long life.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

William A Fitzsimmons