Catalysed recombination of CO and O2in sealed CO2TEA laser gases at temperatures down to -27 degrees C

Abstract

An experimental determination has been made of the rates at which SnO2-Pd and SnO2-Pt catalysts recombine CO and O2 at low concentrations in a basic gas mixture of CO2, N2 and He at a total pressure of one atmosphere. Significant rates were measured over the whole temperature range of the investigation (-27 degrees C to 44 degrees C). This information has enabled these catalysts to be used, unheated, in sealed CO2 TEA lasers operating with mixtures of these gases containing high concentrations of CO2. Their use has overcome the most important factor previously limiting the life of such lasers (especially at high pulse repetition frequencies), i.e. the generation of O2 and CO by the dissociation of CO2 during operation.