Capacitive-Discharge-Pumped CuBr Laser With 12 W Average Output Power

This paper presents the study of the energy characteristics of a medium scale CuBr laser (1130 cm³ active volume) pumped by a longitudinal capacitive discharge. The output power dependences on the equivalent operating capacitance and on the ratio of high-voltage and ground electrode capacitances are studied. The best characteristics are obtained when the high-voltage electrode capacitance exceeds the ground electrode capacitance or when the electrode capacitances are equal. The presence of a threshold value for pumping power, above which the introduction of HBr additive into the active volume improves laser performance, is also noted. The total maximum average lasing power was 12 W at ~ 0.5% efficiency when the capacitances of both the electrodes were 1190 pF.