Nitromite LN103 Nitrogen laser -- troubleshooting.

Hi!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
My friend had found found an old laser Nitromite LN103 and he needs some help with it.
He had cleaned and polished oxidized electrodes inside the laser chamber and spark gap. Discharge in the laser chamber (with air as a lasing medium) after adjustment is good, mirrors are clean, but no lasing. And he has a few questions:
1. Can this laser work with air or does it need pure nitrogen for it?
2. If pressure of air in the spark gap exeeds 20 psi – there is no discharge in the laser chamber even with minimal gap between laser electrodes and maximum voltage. Is this normal?
3. There are strange sounds (clicks) on thyristor/main capacitor board - is this normal too?
4. What is the optimal nitrogen pressure in the spark gap and optimal flow rate of nitrogen in the laser chamber?
5. If anyone has a manual/service manual for this laser – please send it for me, if this is possible.
Thanks a lot !

... it starts lasing with pure nitrogene at and above 3 bar :cool:

Viktor

Thanks!

We'll try to make it work further. But what should we do if the discharge disappears at elevated pressure? Can it indicate that the HV source voltage is too low?

... don't know -- my unit is "in working condition", but didn't find the time to source a nitrogene bottle and play around with it ... have too much other laser projects in the pipeline :cool:

Viktor

What is the maximum achievable voltage of the HV source? In my friend"s case the on-board meter shows 16 kV out of 25, and the sparkgap doesn't fire at pressures more than 10 psi. the sparkgap was cleaned before operation.

... AFAIK 25 to 28 kV.

Viktor

Is there any chance to find a service manual and an electric schematic of this model of laser?

You'll have to talk to Swiss Rocketman... He had something to do with the design...

https://youtu.be/siot8ZAx0-I

www.swissrocketman.fr

http://www.swissrocketman.fr/005-las...ld,fr,3,21.cfm

http://www.jonsinger.org/jossresearc...en/ln1000.html

Have a talk with Horiba...

http://www.horiba.com/scientific/pro...itrogen-laser/

Watch video on similar model...

PRA became PTI then was bought by Horiba.. More Googling will help.

While searching for this I found a long last manual and vital schematics for my LN 203 sealed system. Thank You!

Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mixedgas

You'll have to talk to Swiss Rocketman... He had something to do with the design...

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He's a member on here is he not? Perhaps he'll chime in! :cool:

Thanks, mixedgas!

We'll try.