Electrical characteristics of a double−discharge TEA CO2 laser

Abstract

The volume−discharge and arc−formation characteristics of a double−discharge self−sustaining TEA CO₂ laser have been studied. The results indicate that the discharge is a form of high−pressure glow of limited stability. An experimental study of arc formation indicates that this may be a result of ionization and attachment instabilities which are predicted to grow in the transient discharge. A simple technique based on the experimental steady−state discharge characteristic has been used to maximize the stable energy density in a 7.5−cm gap system operating at atmospheric pressure.