Operational characteristics of a pulse-sustained dc-excited transverse-flow cw CO[sub 2] laser of 5-kW output power

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Optical Engineering; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1117/12.168848· OSTI ID:6958296

Nath, A K; Abhinandan, L; Choudhary, P ^[1]

---

1. Centre for Advanced Laser Programme, Indore (India)

Performance characteristics of a transverse-gas-flow cw CO[sub 2] laser in which dc discharge was sustained by simultaneous application of high-repetition-rate, high-voltage, short-duration electrical pulses are presented. This excitation scheme enabled maintaining a stable and uniform discharge with electrical input power density more than 15 W/cm[sup 3] in a typical laser gas mixture of 2 mbar CO[sub 2], 14 mbar N[sub 2], and 30 mbar He. Maximum laser power of 5.2 kW was obtained with 15% electro-optic efficiency from a pair of active regions each of 1-m length incorporated with a folded stable optical resonator. The effect of water vapor on laser performance is also discussed.

• OSTI ID: 6958296
• Journal Information: Optical Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: Optical Engineering; (United States) Vol. 33:6; ISSN 0091-3286; ISSN OPEGAR
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
426002* -- Engineering-- Lasers & Masers-- (1990-)
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
FLUIDS
GAS LASERS
GASES
LASERS
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
USES
VAPORS
WATER VAPOR