Electron Radiation Temperatures and Optical Gain Measurements in a CO2 Laser Amplifier

摘要

Combined optical gain at 10.6 mu M and electron radiation temperature measurements at an X-band microwave frequency have been carried out on a small bore CO2 laser amplifier. Measurements were made over an extended pressure range in a flowing gas system, studying the transition from gain to loss as well as conditions for maximum gain both for pure CO2 and with N2 and He as additives. No significant variation of the radiation temperature was observed, which shows that the addition of He does not cause a change in the average electron energy. Increased gain must therefore be attributed to the He directly affecting the excited CO2 laser levels. (Author)