<title>High repetition rate pin-array UV pre-ionized CO<formula><inf><roman>2</roman></inf></formula> laser</title>

Abstract

Design, construction and operation of a high repetition rate TEA CO2 laser is reported. Cooling and gas circulation systems of this small laser consist of a radiator based cooling with capacity of 300 cm3 and two 2700 rpm blowers, respectively. Cold water (-3°C) with 100 cm3/s was supplied and used for cooling. The gas circulation velocity between the electrodes was 6 mlsec. Energy of 65-25 mJ per pulse was recorded for repetition rate of 500 Hz and 1 KHz, respectively. It is shown that the output energy of this small scale pin array UV pre-ionized laser very much depends on discharge voltage and Nitrogen gas ratio in the laser gas mixture. For mixture of C02: N2: He1 : 1 :4 and the discharge voltage of 1 6 Ky, pulse energies varies from 65-30 mJ, at 100 Hz and 1 KHz repetition rates. At repetition rate more than 2 KI-Iz pulse energy reduces to less than halfofthe maximum energy. The FWHM of 100 ns was recorded.