Continuous-wave carbon dioxide laser system producing output power up to 135 kilowatts

摘要

Abstract: The operational characteristics of a 135 kW continuous wave carbon dioxide laser system are described. A brief description of the fast-flowing electrical discharge coaxial laser system is presented followed by a detailed discussion of the operational and output characteristics of the device. Diagnostics systems configured to measure electrical discharge voltage and current, mass flow, laser cavity pressure, laser output power, output spatial intensity distribution and output temporal stability are described. The data collected with these systems are summarized with subsequent analyses presented and compared with theory. The 135 kW carbon dioxide laser is located at the Laser Hardened Materials Evaluation Laboratory (LHMEL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA. The device was developed and is currently operated for the purpose of characterizing the thermal response of materials. !3