Optika Atmosfery i Okeana Journal

Vol. 10, issue 11, article # 2

Osipov V. V., Ivanov M. G., Lisenkov V. V. Pulsed repetitive CO₂ laser pumped with a combined discharge. // Atmospheric and oceanic optics. 1997. V. 10. No. 11. P. 790-793. PDF
Copy the reference to clipboard

Abstract:

In this paper we present some results of investigation into the performance of a technological CO₂ laser experimental model developed on the basis of an original combined technique of a volume discharge formation. The active volume of the discharge zone, gas flow velocity through the discharge gap and discharge length along the optical axis in our experiments were 1000 cm³, 50 m/s and 80 cm, respectively. We have studied the laser operation in different pumping modes and different pressure of helium-free and hydrogen containing gas mixtures. Long-term operation of a laser without change of the gas mixture containing CO was investigated, as well. It was shown that high lasing efficiency (up to 22% and up to 28% if the contribution from the cathode drop is reduced) and specific output power of several units of W/cm³ could be achieved in such laser systems.