Patrick C Thornton

US Patent:

20080117949, May 22, 2008

Filed:

Nov 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/603513

Inventors:

Yefim P. Sukhman - Scottsdale AZ, US
Vladimir M. Cherezov - Phoenix AZ, US
Patrick R. Thornton - Phoenix AZ, US
Stefano J. Noto - Mesa AZ, US

Assignee:

Universal Laser Systems, Inc. - Scottsdale AZ

International Classification:

H01S 3/22

US Classification:

372 59

Abstract:

Gas lasers including nanoscale catalysts and methods for producing such lasers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a gas laser includes a gas containment structure having a gas discharge region and a laser gas medium in the gas discharge region. The gas laser also includes a plurality of optical elements spaced apart from each other at opposite ends of the gas discharge region to form a laser resonator. The gas laser further includes a nanoscale catalyst proximate to and in communication with the gas discharge region to modify oxidation and/or decomposition processes of selected components of the laser gas medium. In one embodiment, the nanoscale catalyst can include a metal-oxide support substrate carrying a plurality of nanoscale particulates. The nanoscale particulates can be composed of one or more of the following: gold, silver, or platinum, and have an average size of about 1-50 nm.