RF Excitation Of Diffusion Cooled And Fast Axial Flow Lasers

Abstract

RF excitation has become the preferred method for excitation of CO2 lasers, from miniature waveguide lasers through to multi-kilowatt, industrial fast axial flow lasers. The underlying physics of transverse discharges in the 10 to 150 MHz frequency range is reviewed, and factors determining the choice of optimum frequency discussed. New discharge structures, giving industrially useful powers from very compact devices, are now becoming possible through RF excitation techniques. The new approaches are contrasted with the more conventional routes to high power density using fast axial flow.© (1989) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.