Abstract 1. The method of making a core structure surrounding the optical axis of an ion laser where said core structure is made of a plurality of graphite blocks having central bores extending along a said axis which comprises: A. Providing a key portion on the periphery of each of said blocks with said key portions extending less than 360 degree around the periphery of said block; B. Supporting said blocks spaced apart from each other inside a tube of thermoplastic ceramic material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than said blocks with the central bores in said blocks aligned with each other and with said blocks supported in dependently of said tube; C. Heating said blocks and said tube int he area surrounding said blocks to a high temperature, which is above the normal operating temperature of the laser parts, at which the thermoplastic material of said tube will flow while applying a greater pressure to the exterior of said tube than to the interior of said tube until the material of said tube flows into engagement with the circumference of said blocks and said key portions of said blocks; and D. Cooling said tube to a temperature below the temperature at which the material of said tube flows.
The method of making a core structure surrounding the optical axis of an ion laser where said core structure is made of a plurality of graphite blocks having central bores extending along a said axis which comprises: A. Providing a key portion on the periphery of each of said blocks with said key portions extending less than 360 degree around the periphery of said block; B. Supporting said blocks spaced apart from each other inside a tube of thermoplastic ceramic material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than said blocks with the central bores in said blocks aligned with each other and with said blocks supported in dependently of said tube; C. Heating said blocks and said tube int he area surrounding said blocks to a high temperature, which is above the normal operating temperature of the laser parts, at which the thermoplastic material of said tube will flow while applying a greater pressure to the exterior of said tube than to the interior of said tube until the material of said tube flows into engagement with the circumference of said blocks and said key portions of said blocks; and D. Cooling said tube to a temperature below the temperature at which the material of said tube flows.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
209 words
The method of making a core structure surrounding the optical axis of an ion laser where said core structure is made of a plurality of graphite blocks having central bores extending along a said axis which comprises: A. Providing a key portion on the periphery of each of said blocks with said key portions extending less than 360 degree around the periphery of said block; B. Supporting said blocks spaced apart from each other inside a tube of thermoplastic ceramic material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than said blocks with the central bores in said blocks aligned with each other and with said blocks supported in dependently of said tube; C. Heating said blocks and said tube int he area surrounding said blocks to a high temperature, which is above the normal operating temperature of the laser parts, at which the thermoplastic material of said tube will flow while applying a greater pressure to the exterior of said tube than to the interior of said tube until the material of said tube flows into engagement with the circumference of said blocks and said key portions of said blocks; and D. Cooling said tube to a temperature below the temperature at which the material of said tube flows.