Experimental Optimization of the Output Power of a Copper Vapor Laser Using Air as a Buffer Gas

Mahboobeh Mirzaei,Masoud Sabaghi,Kamran Khorasani,Saeid Behrouzinia,Batool Sajad,Saeid Marjani

doi:10.4236/opj.2016.64008

Mahboobeh Mirzaei, Masoud Sabaghi + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/opj.2016.64008

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Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of the pressure buffer gas and frequency on the output power, a copper vapor laser with active medium length of 60 cm and bore of 16 mm has been operated and optimized using air as a buffer gas. The observed oscillatory behavior of the output power versus frequency is in good agreement with the previous reports. The measured results show the maximum output power of ~1.6W at the optimum pressure of 3.8 torr and frequency of 17 kHz. Abundance of the air and reduction of the system volume due to elimination of the gas handling system as well as the economically benefits are the advantages of the employing air as a buffer gas in the copper vapor laser operation.

Highlights

The lasers are devices that emit light coherently through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons
In order to minimize the effect of inelastic electron collisions on the energy distribution function, the non-reactive inert gases with high excitation and ionization energies have been employed as the buffer gases such as He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe and their mixtures gases
The CVL has been operated by employing the air as a buffer gas to investigate and optimized the output power in terms of the various parameters at the constant input power of ~1.4 kW

Summary

Introduction

The lasers are devices that emit light coherently through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. (2016) Experimental Optimization of the Output Power of a Copper Vapor Laser Using Air as a Buffer Gas. Optics and Photonics Journal, 6, 5359. Applications of CVL include the research, medicine, industry, high speed imaging, micro-machining, non-linear frequency conversion to the ultraviolet and photodynamic therapy They have been used extensively as a powerful pumping source for dye lasers by the master oscillator-power amplifier array for higher output powers and beam quality [29]-[34]. In order to increase the output power and improve the laser performance, the buffer gas is used in CVL tube that provides a discharge medium when the discharge tube reaches to the required temperature of copper vapor production.

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