Compact sealed TEA CO2lasers with corona-discharge preionization

Optimization of the performance of compact sealed TEA CO2lasers employing a novel version of the corona-discharge preionization scheme is reported. Performance with high oxygen concentrations, long-life operation with organic additives, limits of arc-free operation with gas mixtures without helium, and in the presence of high CO2concentrations have been investigated. Our results show that devices whose construction is considerably simplified by employing this preionization technique are capable of producing performance superior to more complex systems.