Large-bore copper vapor laser with a double thyratron pulse modulator

Abstract

Use of a double thyratron pulse modulator in a large-bore copper vapor laser is demonstrated. Design of the laser consisting of a discharge tube of 70-mm diameter and 1500-mm length is discussed. The laser gave 55-W output power at 4.8-kHz repetition rate using neon as the buffer gas with 9.1-kW modulator switching of electrical power. The efficiency of the laser was about 0.6%.

Compact second generation kinetically enhanced copper vapor laser at 10kHz repetition rate

“…The purpose of double thyratron pulse modulators ͑DTPMs͒ is to reduce the operating VApps ͑peak anode voltageϫ peak anode currentϫ pulse per second͒ value on each thyratron, thus minimizing the high-voltage switching stresses. [16][17][18][19] In such cases, the snubber and magnetic assist are not required for preventing the latch-on conditions which otherwise introduce substantial losses in the discharge circuit if used. Such double thyratron modulators have also been successfully used in other high repetition rate pulsed gas lasers such as excimer lasers where input power requirements are stringent.…”