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Performance of large, cw, preexcited CO supersonic laser

Journal Article · · IEEE J. Quant. Electron.; (United States)
The performance of a CO laser having electrical excitation by a continuously operating, self-sustained glow discharge in a high-pressure gas mixture followed by a supersonic expansion to the cavity region has been studied. A threshold for lasing was found which corresponded to 0.035 eV of input energy per CO molecule. Beyond this, nearly 15% of the additional energy was extracted by the resonator. The total power reached 940 W with a maximum electrooptical efficiency of 13.7% and a specific power of 17 kJ/lb. The vibrational population distribution of the CO in the cavity, with and without lasing, was determined from the overtone emission spectrum. The data indicated a significant loss of vibrational energy during expansion.
Research Organization:
Calspan Corp., Buffalo
OSTI ID:
7289498
Journal Information:
IEEE J. Quant. Electron.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE J. Quant. Electron.; (United States) Vol. 13:1; ISSN IEJQA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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