Metal vapour pulsed laser - has controlled switching element in form of auxiliary discharge tubes in parallel with main discharge tube

摘要

The laser includes a discharge tube (1) with electrodes (5) shunted by an inductance coil (7). A storage capacitor (3) is connected to the discharge tube and is provided with a charging circuit (6). A switch (4) with a starting circuit (12) ensures the discharge of the storage capacitor across the discharge tube. The discharge tube is connected in parallel with a control block (8). This includes a controlled element whose resistance in the conducting state is less than that of the discharge tube in the conducting state. The 'controlled element' comprises a fixed resistor (10) and control gate (11) in series. A delay (9) is connected to the gate, and is also connected to the starter circuit (12). The discharge controlled element is associated to a number of auxiliary tubes. The resistance of each of those tubes, after passing through the conducting phase, is less than that of the main discharge tube (1) before its transition to a conductive state.