Bore support assembly and a method of laser construction

Abstract

A bore support assembly is used in construction of an outer envelope of a laser and for supporting an inner bore tube of the laser near its free end. The bore support assembly includes a generally planar joiner ring having radially spaced outer and inner peripheries. At its outer periphery, it becomes rigidly attached to the interior of the envelope during formation of the latter from separate bore assembly tube and reservoir tube sections. Its inner periphery has a central opening receiving the bore tube. The bore support assembly also includes a spider structure and a preform element for attaching it to the exterior of bore tube. The spider structure has an outer peripheral portion attached to the inner periphery of the joiner ring so as to position the spider structure on one side of the joiner ring and along the central opening thereof. The spider structure also has an inner peripheral portion spaced radially inwardly from the outer peripheral portion and defining a second smaller central opening receiving the bore tube therethrough. A plurality of resiliently flexible spokes extend radially between and integrally interconnect the outer and inner peripheral portions. The joiner ring has a plurality of heat transmission limiting apertures defined through it between its inner and outer peripheries.