Modified overshoot mode of magnetic-spiker sustainer technology for multi-joule TEA CO_2 lasers

摘要

A compact and efficient multi-joule TEA CO_2 laser using the modified overshoot mode (MOM) magnetic-spiker sustainer (MSS) excitation technique is described, giving an enhanced laser performance at a significantly reduced spiker switching energy (typically approx5percent of total input energy) necessary for producing a stable discharge. A laser output energy of 7.1J was obtained with an overall efficiency of approx13.5percent. The implementation of this technique in a dual module 10J TEA CO_2 laser is also successfully obtained, demonstratin the scalability of this technology to high pulse energy (>=10J) systems.