Restricted getter

Abstract

A getter is a porous sintered metallic alloy used to absorb non-inert gases. The getter is placed in a getter well of a ring laser gyroscope system or other gas discharge system. The getter well is any enclosure in which a getter resides. The getter absorbs oxygen, which may be needed by some gyroscope components to operate. By restricting the gas flow into the getter well or by placing a diffusion barrier on the getter material, the getter may absorb non-inert gas at a slower rate.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A system for restricting a getter, comprising in combination: 
 a getter located in an interior of a getter well: and    a diffusion barrier located on a surface of the getter, wherein the diffusion barrier is a chemical barrier formed by a chemical reaction between a gas and the getter, wherein the diffusion barrier reduces a rate at which the getter absorbs non-inert gases.    
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the getter is composed of a barium alloy.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the getter removes non-inert gases from a cavity.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the diffusion barrier is composed of barium nitride.  
   
   
       31 . A system for restricting a getter, comprising in combination: 
 a getter located in an interior of a getter well, wherein the getter is composed of a barium alloy, and wherein the getter removes non-inert gases from a cavity: and    a diffusion barrier located on a surface of the getter, wherein the diffusion barrier is a chemical barrier formed by a chemical reaction between the barium alloy and nitrogen gas, and wherein the diffusion barrier reduces a rate in which the getter absorbs non-inert gases.    
   
   
       32 . A method for restricting a getter, comprising in combination: 
 forming a diffusion barrier on a surface of a getter material, wherein the diffusion barrier is a chemical barrier formed by a chemical reaction between a gas and the getter material; and    placing the getter material in an interior of a getter well.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the getter material is composed of barium.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the gas is nitrogen.