<title>Pulsed CO<formula><inf><roman>2</roman></inf></formula> Lasers</title>

Abstract

A number of pulsed carbon dioxide lasers have been developed to form the basis of laser systems operating at a wavelength of 10.6 microns. A compact sealed -off CO2 TEA laser which has an output power of 220 kW and a lifetime in excess of 106 pulses, is at an advanced stage of development.This laser employs trigger wire initiation of the main discharge. Arc array initiation has also been employed to provide a means of extending the stable operating regime. As a consequence, output powers in excess of 1.2 MW have been achieved from a sealed -off polarised laser.In addition, an experimental trigger wire initiated laser employing a tangential fan to produce transverse gas flow in the active discharge region, has been operated at repetition rates of up to 100 Hz. AbstractA number of pulsed carbon dioxide lasers have been developed to form the basis of laser systems operating at a wavelength of 10.6 microns. A compact sealed-off CC>2 TEA laser which has an output power of 220 kW and a lifetime in excess of 10 6 pulses, is at an advanced stage of development. This laser employs trigger wire initiation of the main discharge. Arc array initiation has also been employed to provide a means of extending the stable operating regime. As a consequence, output powers in excess of 1.2 MW have been achieved from a sealed-off polarised laser. In addition, an experimental trigger wire initiated laser employing a tangential fan to produce transverse gas flow in the active discharge region, has been operated at repetition rates of up to 100 Hz.