Optimization of operating regimes of pulsed electron-beam-controlled CO2 lasers

Abstract

The dependences of the lasing characteristics of the pulsed electron-beam-controlled C02 lasers on the excitation conditions are investigated. The dependences of the laser efficiency, of the emission pulse duration, and of the specific energy output on the duration and intensity of the pump, on the composition of the working gas mixture, and on the resonator parameters are analyzed. It is shown that the optimal pump-pulse duration needed to attain a high specific energy output and efficiency is 10–40 usec, and that in this case the best working mixtures are those containing C02 and N2 in a ratio (1:2)–(1:4). Introduction of a small addition of H2 into a C02:N2 mixture leads to an efficiency 15–20% higher than in analogous mixtures without the H2. When the C02:N2:He mixture is replaced by C02:N2:H2, the maximum efficiency realized in the experiment remains practically exchanged, but the specific energy output increases because a higher specific pump energy is reached.