Retrotech
pressure-regulators
The diagram shows a device that was suggested to me, by Douglas Little. Prior to using this device, the performance of my laser was very inconsistent. Here is how Doug diagnosed the problem:
Each cycle of the pump produces a massive sucking force for a brief period: a big pressure shock over and over, several times per second. Coupled with the AC at 60hz, you have two oscillators running over each other. So the result will be interfering waves. You have electrical AC running at one frequency, and you've got the pump affecting pressure in waves, at a different frequency. When you combine waves of different frequencies, you get a mess. This would appear as changes in efficiency of the laser, and as a random flickering within the electrical discharge. An oscillating discharge is cycling through a range of states, including the 'best' one: a bit like a broken clock being right once every 12 hours. However, a stable laser will be stuck in one state, but it is less likely to be the correct state. As a result of this, the entire apparatus becomes very sensitive to any adjustments that are made.
An initial test must be conducted in order to obtain a stable discharge, followed by a second test to optimize the random flickering that will take place. A big jar (capacitor) will help a lot, and a small hole at the laser side of this jar (resistor) will help even more. If laser power seems lower with a stable discharge, then this is an indication that more tuning is needed.
pressure-regulators
The diagram shows a device that was suggested to me, by Douglas Little. Prior to using this device, the performance of my laser was very inconsistent. Here is how Doug diagnosed the problem:
Each cycle of the pump produces a massive sucking force for a brief period: a big pressure shock over and over, several times per second. Coupled with the AC at 60hz, you have two oscillators running over each other. So the result will be interfering waves. You have electrical AC running at one frequency, and you've got the pump affecting pressure in waves, at a different frequency. When you combine waves of different frequencies, you get a mess. This would appear as changes in efficiency of the laser, and as a random flickering within the electrical discharge. An oscillating discharge is cycling through a range of states, including the 'best' one: a bit like a broken clock being right once every 12 hours. However, a stable laser will be stuck in one state, but it is less likely to be the correct state. As a result of this, the entire apparatus becomes very sensitive to any adjustments that are made.
An initial test must be conducted in order to obtain a stable discharge, followed by a second test to optimize the random flickering that will take place. A big jar (capacitor) will help a lot, and a small hole at the laser side of this jar (resistor) will help even more. If laser power seems lower with a stable discharge, then this is an indication that more tuning is needed.