[sci.electronics] argon laser reliability

phys138@canterbury (10/25/90)

Recently our SpectraPhysics 171 argon laser system failed with water vapour
ingress into the glass tube and we are weighing up the merits of changing to a
complete SpectraPhysics metal-ceramic argon laser system such as the 2045
model. A point of concern is the reliability of the ceramic tube technology as
the principal motivation for switching is to gain increased reliability. Our
funding is sufficiently limited for tube reliabilty to be quite a concern.

Does anyone have any first-hand experience confirming or disproving increased
reliability?  Should any comments be wished to be made directly I can be
reached by email to PHYS112@Canterbury.AC.NZ.

                    Thanks in advance, Glynn JONES.
                                       Department of Physics,
                                       University of Canterbury, 
                                       Christchurch,
                                       NEW ZEALAND.