Gas laser excited with pulsed microwave energy

Abstract From the Canadian patent

In a gas laser exited with pulsed microwave energy, a running gas discharge is generated in a waveguide this discharge placing the gas in its excited condition and, expiring after migrating through the waveguide. The microwave energy is supplied at one end of the waveguide and a short-, circuit element is disposed at the other end of the waveguide with an igniter attached in proximity to the short-circuit element so that the gas discharge, and thus the excitation of the laser gas always begins at the end of the waveguide at which the short-circuit element is disposed. This structure is especially suited for CO2 lasers.