QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DEPENDENCE OF CO2 LASER PERFORMANCE ON ELECTRIC DISCHARGE PROPERTIES

Abstract

Reported values of electron‐molecule energy transfer rate constants are combined with atom/molecule‐molecule and radiative energy transfer rate constants in an analysis of the conversion of electron energy to optical energy at 10.6μ in an electric discharge containing CO₂, N₂, and He. The small‐signal gain and the saturation intensity are calculated as functions of the electron density and gas temperature in the discharge. The calculated values of these quantities are consistent with experimentally determined values. The detrimental effect of high gas temperature on small‐signal gain is found to be the single most important factor influencing the efficiency of the discharge plasma as an energy conversion medium.