A compact high-repetition-rate TEA CO2laser

Abstract

A compact atmospheric pressure CO₂ laser utilizing a double-discharge technique has been constructed and operated at moderate repetition rates. Output powers of 30 W have been obtained at pulse repetition frequencies of 100 Hz, corresponding to an output of 300 mJ/pulse. With the addition of small amounts of H₂ and CO to the He-CO₂-N₂ gas mixture, sealed operational lifetimes exceeding 2*10⁶ pulses have been obtained. In operation in the sealed configuration, the output energy is reduced to 250 mJ/pulse at pulse repetition frequencies of 40-50 pulses/s.