Title :
Preionizer-induced pulsed-mode operation of a transverse-flow transversely excited CW CO2 laser
Author :
Choudhary, P. ; Agarwal, M.S. ; Nath, A.K.
Author_Institution :
Laser Div., Centre for Adv. Technol., Indore, India
fDate :
8/1/1996 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A pulse-preionized, dc-excited, transverse-flow, CW CO2 laser has been operated in pulsed mode without using a discharge power-switching scheme. The pulsation in laser power is produced by a pulsed current that flows from the dc power supply due to the collapse in the discharge impedance whenever a preionizer pulse appears. By properly choosing the preionizer-pulse repetition frequency, dc power-supply filter-capacitor value, and gas composition, the laser pulsation has been enhanced. This laser has been operated at 1-kW average laser power level in pulsed mode at 1.3-kHz pulse repetition frequency with a peak-to-average power ratio of 3.35 and laser-power modulation depth of almost 100%
Keywords :
carbon compounds; gas lasers; laser materials processing; laser modes; optical modulation; preionisation; 1 kW; CO2; CW CO2 laser; cutting; dc power supply; dc power-supply filter-capacitor value; dc-excited; discharge impedance; gas composition; kW average laser power level; laser materials processing; laser power; laser pulsation; laser-power modulation depth; peak-to-average power ratio; preionizer pulse; preionizer-induced pulsed-mode operation; preionizer-pulse repetition frequency; pulse repetition frequency; pulsed current; pulsed mode; transverse-flow; transversely excited; Anodes; Frequency; Gas lasers; Laser beam cutting; Laser excitation; Laser modes; Optical pulses; Power lasers; Pulse modulation; Pulsed power supplies;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
