A photoswitched small TEA CO₂laser

Abstract

A small photoswitched TEA CO2 laser has been developed. This small aperture, low repetition rate laser can produce 69 mJ optical pulses from a discharge volume of 12.5cm3, with an energy efficiency of 11.1%. This energy efficiency is the highest so far reported with such lasers. Corona UV sources driven by a simple inexpensive solid state exciter are used to trigger the discharge. Also demonstrated is the wider input energy loading and enhanced discharge stability provided by overvolting the laser head.

Repetitive operation of switchless transverse flow transversely excited atmosphere CO2 lasers

“…[11][12][13][14] In these methods the main discharge condenser, which is charged to a voltage lower than the dc breakdown voltage of the inter-electrode gap, is connected across the laser electrodes without a switch. The condenser automatically switches its stored energy into the laser load when preconditioning of the inter-electrode gap with UV photons, 11 x-rays, 12 electrons from an external source 13 or a low energy spiker discharge 14 brings down the impedance of the gap. In all these methods, although no switch has been employed for the functioning of the main discharge, a switch, however, is needed to initiate the preconditioning of the inter-electrode volume.…”

Switching of a TEA CO2laser with its own UV emitting parallel spark channels

“…Although such systems have long life and high degree of reliability, they are bulky and also suffer from low wall plug efficiency [3]. Efforts have, therefore, been expended in the past to eliminate the main discharge switch altogether in the operation of TEA CO 2 lasers [4][5][6]. In these methods the main discharge condenser, which is charged to a voltage lower than the d-c breakdown voltage of the inter-electrode gap, is directly connected across the laser electrodes.…”

“…In these methods the main discharge condenser, which is charged to a voltage lower than the d-c breakdown voltage of the inter-electrode gap, is directly connected across the laser electrodes. The condenser automatically switches its stored energy into the laser load when preconditioning of the inter-electrode gap with uv photons [4], X-rays [5], or electrons from an external source [6] brings down the impedance of the gap. In all these methods, although no switch has been employed for the functioning of the main discharge, a switch is needed to initiate the preconditioning of the inter-electrode volume.…”

Towards a triggerable switchless TEA CO2 laser

“…Several attempts have been made in the past to dispense with the switch, albeit with limited success, in the operation of such lasers [1][2][3]. We have been successful in achieving efficient operation of a switch-less TEA CO 2 laser wherein the preioniser spark array, an integral part of the laser, functioned as a switch as well [4][5][6].…”