High-pressure Continuously Tunable CO2 Laser

摘要

Operation of carbon dioxide waveguide lasers at laser gas pressures of several atmospheres can significantly increase peak output power and optical pulse energy and allow continuous wavelength tunability over a broad spectral band. In the investigation, the feasibility of CO2 waveguide laser operation at elevated pressures is demonstrated. An advanced waveguide laser excited by a high-power radio frequency generator and employing novel discharge concepts is constructed and experimentally characterized. Significant increases in laser pulse energy and peak output power are observed, and factors influencing laser efficiency and range of operating pressure are explored. As a result of its improved operating characteristics this advanced waveguide laser is expected to find applications in laser radar, remote sensing, laboratory instrumentation, and materials processing.