Control of OH catalyst in a CO2 laser via NbHx-H2 equilibrium

Abstract

The partial pressure of H2 in a sealed-off CO2 laser was controlled by changing the temperature of a Pd-plated NbHx specimen placed in the laser tube. It was shown that the pressure control could be performed uniquely even in the presence of H2 adsorption or outgassing, provided the quantity of Nb exceeded a certain amount. Controlling the H2 pressure led to varying the concentration of OH radicals in the CO2 laser plasma, the catalytic activity of which was monitored as the change of laser output power.