Title :
A CW CO/sub 2/ laser with DC-discharge preionization
Author :
Crane, K.C.A. ; Browne, P.G. ; Baker, D.E.D.
Author_Institution :
CSIRO, Lindfield, NSW, Australia
Abstract :
The application of the plasma-injection technique (involving DC-discharge preionization) to a CW CO/sub 2/ laser operating with recirculated gas is described. Measured characteristics of the discharges, the gain, and the output power are presented. An output of 110 W was obtained with a specific efficiency of 1.0 J/l/sup -1/ of flowed gas at a pressure of 10 kPa. A simplified model to calculate a characteristic length of the main discharge, which is useful for design purposes, is developed. This type of laser may be scaled simply to higher output powers, requires a gas mixture with only 20% He, is compact and robust, and yet is simple in its electrical and mechanical requirements.<>
Keywords :
carbon compounds; discharges (electric); gas lasers; 10 kPa; 110 W; CO/sub 2/ laser; DC-discharge preionization; plasma-injection technique; Gain measurement; Gas lasers; Laser modes; Plasma applications; Plasma measurements; Plasma properties; Power generation; Power lasers; Power measurement;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
