GAS LASER OSCILLATION TUBE

PURPOSE:To prevent the wearing of electrodes and the decrease of gas adsorption by a method wherein both sides of the discharge part exciting the laser gas are equipped with a total reflection mirror and an output mirror, and a permanent magnet is provided in the neighborhood of the cathode of the discharge part so that the magnetic field may be rectangular to a discharge pole on the electrode surface. CONSTITUTION:The discharge tube 1 is cooled by a water-cooled part 2 in the outer periphery and seals the laser inside. Both ends thereof are provided with the output mirror 3 and the total reflection mirror 4, and the anode 5 and the cathode 6 generating discharges 8 by impressing high voltage supply 7 are provided. A ring-like permanent magnet 9 is magnetized in the diameter direction and holds the cathode 6. In this construction, glow discharge 8 generates when the high voltage 7 is impressed. However, the discharge spot on the electrode 6 moves in rotation by magnetic drive by the effect of the magnet 9. Thereby, the discharge spot does not remain at a point, and the wearing out of electrodes due to current concentration and the sputtering for electrode fusion are reduced.