KILOWATT CO2 GAS-TRANSPORT LASER

Abstract

Closed‐cycle gas cooling techniques have resulted in a self‐contained cw kW CO₂ laser having a 1‐m active length. The CO₂, N₂, He gas mixture is recirculated through a heat exchanger following forced convection transverse to the optical cavity and the electrical discharge. Output power has been measured as a function of flow velocity and electrical input power.