Flow Conditioning in Electric Discharge Convection Lasers

Abstract

Electrical power deposition in both open and closed cycle CO2 electric discharge convection lasers (EDCL) can be enhanced by controlling the velocity profile in and introducing turbulence into the discharge zone. For the multiple pin electrode geometries typically employed in rectangular cross section laser channels, this can be accomplished by an array of adjustable baffles which span the flow upstream of the discharge region. Typically four baffles, whose chord is one‐quarter of the channel height, are employed. Each baffle is individually adjustable to compensate for the nonuniform flow impedance of the electrode array. Measurements of electrical power deposition in both open and closed cycle operation and results of hot wire anemometer studies are presented.