Optimization of laser active media for fast-flowing gas lasers

W. Pfeiffer; C. Schmitz; Adolf Giesen; Helmut Huegel

doi:10.1117/12.334433

22 December 1998 Optimization of laser active media for fast-flowing gas lasers

W. Pfeiffer, C. Schmitz, Adolf Giesen, Helmut Huegel

Proceedings Volume 3574, XII International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers and High-Power Laser Conference; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.334433
Event: Twelfth International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers and High-Power Laser Conference, 1998, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

Abstract

For optimized laser active media with respect to high efficiency the optical quality, the discharge stability and the small signal gain have to be on a high level at simultaneously high power densities. This goal was achieved by combining a defined swirl flow with helical electrodes and a so-called ignition improver. Besides of the regular gas components CO₂, N₂ and He the gas mixture contains Ar and C₄H₁₀. The benefit of using optimized laser active media was demonstrated with a straight unstable resonator superimposed to two discharge tubes. At an efficiency of 18% and a beam power of 5 kW the laser system produces about the same beam propagation factor as calculated for the undisturbed gain medium. The beam propagation factor was significantly increased by an on-axis reflaxicon mirror system within the external beam path.

Citation Download Citation

W. Pfeiffer, C. Schmitz, Adolf Giesen, and Helmut Huegel "Optimization of laser active media for fast-flowing gas lasers", Proc. SPIE 3574, XII International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers and High-Power Laser Conference, (22 December 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.334433

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