A large bore fast axial flow CO/sub 2/ laser

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · IEEE J. Quant. Electron.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/3.153· OSTI ID:7255485

Harry, J E; Evans, D R

A single tube large bore fast axial flow CO/sub 2/ laser with a power output of 3.8 kW using a discharge length of 0.6 m is described operating at currents in excess of 1.8 A. The high-power compact design is made possible by the use of multiple electrodes and by optimizing gas turbulence using high velocity gas injection at the anodes to suppress the glow to arc transition and to fill the discharge tube. The critical parameters in raising the current at which the glow to arc transition occurs are shown to be the number and surface area of the cathodes and the effectiveness of the gas turbulence over the discharge length. The importance of the transition regions between the column and the electrodes is shown.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Technology, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU (GB)
• OSTI ID: 7255485
• Journal Information: IEEE J. Quant. Electron.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE J. Quant. Electron.; (United States) Vol. 24:3; ISSN IEJQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRODES
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
GAS LASERS
LASERS
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
POWER
TURBULENCE