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Life problems of dc and rf-excited low-power cw CO/sub 2/ waveguide lasers

Journal Article · · Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1138690· OSTI ID:5501084
A number of different, rf-excited 3-W cw CO/sub 2/ waveguide lasers have been built. Four of these lasers, after continuously working for 15 000--30 000 h, still yield about 70% of their original power output. The design variations cover N/sub 2/- and CO-bearing gas mixtures, as well as internal- and external-capacitively coupled excitaton electrodes. A similar laser survived 50 000 5-min-ON/5-min-OFF cycles without significant mirror damage. We have not been able to find suitable cold cathodes that allow the building of longitudinally dc-excited cw CO/sub 2/ waveguide lasers that work for such extended periods of time.
Research Organization:
Electrical Engineering Department, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
OSTI ID:
5501084
Journal Information:
Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States) Vol. 57:9; ISSN RSINA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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