A high-power, power-modulated TEA CO2 laser system as a driving source of electrostatic plasma waves

Abstract

A high-power, power-modulated transversely excited atmosphere (TEA) CO2 laser system is developed with the intention of applying it to high-temperature plasmas for diagnostic purpose. Two-mode pulse injection locking is adopted to obtain the required output pulses of the TEA CO2 laser. Together with the power modulation, the gain-switched spike of the output pulses are also suppressed by the adopted method, resulting in pulse lengthening. Two feedback loops are incorporated for reliable power modulation. The power-modulated output so obtained is used to excite electrostatic plasma waves in laboratory plasmas.