Miniature high-repetition-rate TEA CO_(2) laser with surface-wire-corona preionization

摘要

In this article, an experimental study of a miniature, sealed-off, high-repetition-rate transversely excited atmospheric-pressure (TEA) CO_(2) laser with a kind of surface-wire-corona preionization (SWCP) is described. We have utilized an SWCP consisting of SiO_(2) dielectric tube and a fine wire strained and attached to the dielectric surface. A BN ceramic material, which has an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion of about 5×10~(-7)/℃ was employed as a supporter of the resonator. A measurement of emission spectra of SWCP has been reported. By applying SWCP to the TEA CO_(2) laser, efficient laser operation at an overall efficiency of 9.8% with an output energy of 150 mJ has been achieved from a small discharge volume of 25 cm~(3) with an active length of 230 mm. At the pulse repetition frequency of 60 Hz, the TEM_(00) mode of laser beam with pulse width of 60 ns was obtained.