Plasma shutter for TEA-CO2 laser

This paper demonstrates the possibility of using an optical triggering gas free-breakdown plasma shutter to realize pulse shaping of the transversely excited atmospheric-pressure (TEA) CO₂ laser. Using this technique, the nitrogen "tail" of the TEA CO₂ laser pulse can be clipped, thus shortening the output laser pulse from the duration of FWHM ∼60 ns to ∼30 ns. Major advantages of this plasma shutter are the simple construction and its low radiation losses in comparison to semiconductor switches.