Maintaining constant output from gas laser - by holding buffer-gas pressure constant using permeable wall and controlling pressure in buffer-gas reservoir

摘要

The gas laser has the pressure of the buffer gas inside its evacuated tube continuously held at a constant value. This continuous control is achieved by using a permeable wall between the tube and a reservoir containing the buffer gas. The pressure in the tube and in the reservoir and the physical properties of the wall determine the rate at which the gas penetrates into the tube. The reservoir's pressure may be increased by heating the reservoir using a coil whose current is controlled by a detector measuring the pressure in the tube. Alternatively, the wall's physical properties properties may be controlled directly.