A pressure-wave cycled, repetitively pulsed gas laser comprises a laser cavity having open first and second ends, a channel connecting the first and second sides of laser cavity and a lasing initiation mechanism including two electric discharge electrodes. The electrode discharge generates a shockwave and associated pressure ridge. The channel may be a conicoidical channel of which the first and second open sides of the laser cavity form, respectively, large and small entrances for the shock wave and pressure ridge whereby when the wavefronts meet in the channel the energy thereof cancels in proportion to the entry areas and the resultant wave proceeds to the small entrance where it is accelerated by the nozzle action of the small entrance, entrains non-disassociated gases and circulates the gases through the laser cavity. In a second embodiment the channel circumscribes the open sided laser cavity and includes a reflector at the upstream side and a disperser at the downstream side whereby the shock wave and pressure ridge of the laser cavity is reflected through the laser cavity to the disperser which sends the wave through the channel thereby preventing it from reentering the laser cavity at the downstream end. A third embodiment utilizes an asymmetrical chamber with sides which reflect the pressure wave in a circular manner about the center of the discharge region, thus eliminating the channel.

A method of stabilizing an operation of a continuous axial gas laser including at least one gas flow tube system comprising at least one excitation tube, and a gas flow circulation arrangement connected to the gas flow tube system to generate a gas flow therethrough. The gas flow circulation system generates a timed pulsating gas flow and an output pressure signal having a predetermined frequency spectrum. The flow tube system has a pressure-versus-frequency damping transmission characteristic between an input from the gas flow circulation arrangement and the excitation tube, with the damping varying with a frequency of the pressure pulsations applied to the input. The continuous axial gas laser is stabilized by shifting the predetermined frequency spectrum of the pulsating gas flow generated by the gas circulation arrangement with respect to frequency and the damping transmission characteristic to minimize the pressure pulsations to the excitation tube from the gas flow circulation arrangement. The gas flow circulation arrangement may include a rotary- or piston-type compressor, with the step of shifting of the predetermined frequency spectrum including adjusting an operating speed of the compressor or the number of compression chambers. An injection nozzle injects the gas into the excitation tube and filters pressure pulsations of the gas flow circulation arrangement. A radial fan compressor, an axial fan compressor, a single or multi-stage radial fan compressor, a single of multi-housing radial compressor, an axial blower or an axial compressor may be provided for enabling a shifting of the predetermined frequency spectrum.

A laser beam duct pressure controller system for maintaining a spatially uniform pressure in a flowing gas volume which is subjected to temporal pressure variations. This desired result is accomplished, with cooperating structural components (and gases therein) which eliminate the axial flow of a conditioning gas within the laser beam duct, by matching the time rate of change of the pressure of the flowing conditioning gas to the time rate of change of the pressure in the cavity of an operably associated laser beam turret.

A long pulse, fast flow laser system and method in which a laser having a gas inlet and a gas outlet and electrical discharge electrodes has its inlet connected through a valve to a source of laser gas and its outlet connected to a vacuum. A control circuit opens the valve upon a request for laser firing. The valve permits the laser gas to flow through the laser to the vacuum at high speed. A high-voltage power supply is triggered, creating an electrical discharge across the electrodes. After the end of the laser pulse, the valve is shut to cut off the flow of laser gas and the vacuum is reconstituted.