A dielectric electrode assembly, and a method (600) of manufacture thereof, including: a dielectric tube (226) having a cylindrical cross-section and a relative dielectric constant, .sub.2, the dielectric tube (226) filled with a gas having a relative dielectric constant, .sub.1; a structural dielectric (225) having a relative dielectric constant, .sub.3 surrounding the dielectric tube (226); metal electrodes (224) on opposite sides of the structural dielectric (225), the metal electrodes (224) having a flat cross-sectional geometry; and the structural dielectric (225) made from a material selected such that the relative dielectric constants of the structural dielectric (225), the dielectric tube (226), and the gas are interrelated and an approximately uniform electric field is generated within the dielectric tube (226) when power is applied to the metal electrodes (224).

Laser amplification utilizing plasma confinement of a gas laser gain media is described. The gas laser gain media is compressed into plasma utilizing a self-reinforcing magnetic field referred to a plasma pinch (e.g., a flow stabilized z-pinch). In the plasma pinch, the gas laser gain media is compressed to a high density, which improves the gain of the media. An optical resonator partially surrounds the plasma pinch and utilizes the laser gain media compressed within the plasma pinch to generate an output of coherent light.

A light emitting sealed body includes: a housing which stores a discharge gas and is provided with a first opening to which first light is incident along a first optical axis and a second opening from which second light is emitted along a second optical axis; a first window portion which hermetically seals the first opening; and a second window portion which hermetically seals the second opening. The housing is formed of a light shielding material which does not transmit the first light and the second light. An internal space is defined by the housing, the first window portion, and the second window portion and the internal space is filled with the discharge gas. The first opening and the second opening are disposed so that the first optical axis and the second optical axis intersect each other.

A radio frequency laser includes: a power box, a radio frequency cavity, an electrode, and a first metal blocking ring. A bottom plate of the power box is provided with a first installation hole and a first installation groove, and the first installation groove is arranged around the first installation hole. A top plate of the radio frequency cavity is provided with a second installation hole and a second installation groove, and the second installation groove is arranged around the second installation hole. When the power box is assembled with the radio frequency cavity, the second installation hole corresponds to the first installation hole, and the second installation groove corresponds to the first installation groove.

Laser amplification utilizing plasma confinement of a gas laser gain media is described. The gas laser gain media is compressed into plasma utilizing a self-reinforcing magnetic field referred to a plasma pinch (e.g., a flow stabilized z-pinch). In the plasma pinch, the gas laser gain media is compressed to a high density, which improves the gain of the media. An optical resonator partially surrounds the plasma pinch and utilizes the laser gain media compressed within the plasma pinch to generate an output of coherent light.

Systems and techniques for multilayer electrode assemblies are generally described. In some examples, a multilayer electrode assembly may comprise a first dielectric material. In some examples, the first dielectric material may be shaped so as to form a channel defined by an interior surface. In various examples the multilayer electrode assemblies may comprise a first metal layer disposed adjacent to a first portion of the exterior surface of the first dielectric material. In various further examples, the multilayer electrode assemblies may comprise a second metal layer disposed adjacent to a second portion of the exterior surface of the first dielectric material. In some examples, the first metal layer may be disposed in a first spaced relationship with the second metal layer. In various examples, a substantially uniform electric field may be generated in the channel of the first dielectric material when a voltage is applied to the multilayer electrode assembly.

A laser unit may include a laser chamber including a pair of discharge electrodes that are opposed to each other in a first direction with an electrode gap interposed in between and are configured to provide a discharge width in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, smaller than the electrode gap; and an optical resonator including a first optical member and a second optical member that are opposed to each other in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction with the discharge electrodes interposed in between, and configured to amplify laser light generated between the discharge electrodes and output amplified laser light, the optical resonator satisfying the following expression to configure a stable resonator in the second direction:
0<G1.Math.G2<1 where G1 is a G parameter of the first optical member, and G2 is a G parameter of the second optical member.

A carbon dioxide gas-discharge slab-laser is assembled in a laser-housing. The laser-housing is formed from a hollow extrusion. An interior surface of the extrusion provides a ground electrode of the laser. Another live electrode is located within the extrusion, electrically insulated from and parallel to the ground electrode, forming a discharge-gap of the slab-laser. The electrodes are spaced apart by parallel ceramic strips. Neither the extrusion, nor the live electrode, include any direct fluid-cooling means. The laser-housing is cooled by fluid-cooled plates attached to the outside thereof.

A dielectric electrode assembly, and a method of manufacture thereof, including: a dielectric tube having a cylindrical cross-section and a relative dielectric constant, .sub.2, the dielectric tube filled with a gas having a relative dielectric constant, .sub.1; a structural dielectric having a relative dielectric constant, .sub.3 surrounding the dielectric tube; metal electrodes on opposite sides of the structural dielectric, the metal electrodes having a flat cross-sectional geometry; and the structural dielectric made from a material selected such that the relative dielectric constants of the structural dielectric, the dielectric tube, and the gas are interrelated and a uniform electric field is generated within the dielectric tube when power is applied to the metal electrodes.

In a method, energy is supplied to a first gas discharge chamber of a first stage until a pulsed amplified light beam is output from the first stage and directed toward a second stage. While the energy is supplied to the first gas discharge chamber: a value of an operating parameter of the first gas discharge chamber is measured; it is determined whether to adjust an operating characteristic of the first gas discharge chamber based on the measured value; and, the operating characteristic of the first gas discharge chamber is adjusted if it is determined that the operating characteristic of the first gas discharge chamber should be adjusted. After it is determined that the operating characteristic of the first gas discharge chamber no longer should be adjusted, then an adjustment procedure is applied to an operating characteristic of a second gas discharge chamber of the second stage.