Supersonic and subsonic laser with radio frequency excitation

Abstract

Disclosed is a gas laser utilizing radio frequency excitation in the area of sonic or supersonic/subsonic transfer gas flow. The laser uses various types of gases and mixtures of gases as the active medium using radio frequency excitation. The gas is supplied into a supersonic nozzle for acceleration of the active gaseous flow to supersonic or deceleration to high subsonic speeds in order to provide intensive dynamic cooling of the active gas medium. The gas is excited using radio frequency excitation in the critical area of the supersonic nozzle or downstream therefrom. The radio frequency action and excitation can also occur within the optical resonator region which is located within the supersonic area of the nozzle.

What is claimed is  
     
         1 . A radio frequency excited laser comprising: 
 a gas medium entering in a gas inlet and passing longitudinally through a supersonic metal nozzle within a laser body and an optical resonator within said nozzle downstream of said gas inlet;    at least one RF electrode on a first side of said laser body outside said nozzle, an opposing side of said laser body electrically connected to a grounding source, and a dielectric plate insulating an RF electrode, said body dielectrically insulated from said gas medium, said RF electrode exciting said gas active medium by intensive ionization of said gas between said RF electrode and said opposing side of said laser body.