Planar cw N₂O laser with RF excitation

Abstract

The article presents the results of studying and optimizing the output power and spectral characteristics of radiation of a sealed-off continuous wave (cw) planar N2O laser depending on the input radio frequency power and the size of the interelectrode gap in the discharge, on the composition and pressure of the working gas mixture N2O:N2:He:Xe, on the time of continuous operation of the laser. The effect of adding carbon monoxide CO to the working gas mixture is discussed. The maximum values of the output power—17.5 W and the efficiency—7.3% were obtained in a sealed-off cw N2O laser, which significantly exceed the known values. When N2 was replaced by air in the gas mixture: N2O:Air:He:Xe = 2.3:2.3:5:0.4, the laser output power was 10.6 W. The radiation powers of N2O and CO2 lasers are 13.1 W and 18.6 W, respectively, when the working mixture in the emitter is replaced and the same operating conditions are applied—the input power is 180 W and the pressure of the working gas mixture is 30 Torr.