A 15 kilowatt CW CO2 coaxial electric discharge laser
Abstract
The optimization of an Electric Discharge Coaxial Laser (EDCL) System is described. This CW carbon dioxide laser extracts power in excess of 15 kilowatts routinely at an electrical efficiency of 25 percent and a mass flow efficiency in excess of 100 kw/1b sub m/sec. With the appropriate resonator optics, the output intensity distribution is circular, uniform, temporarily stable, and repeatable within 5 percent. This EDCL is a high power output device offering simplicity of construction, low cost, high reliability, and ease of operation as compared to alternative transverse gas flow laser systems.
- Publication:
-
Final Report Air Force Weapons Lab
- Pub Date:
- August 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976afwl.reptR....C
- Keywords:
-
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Continuous Wave Lasers;
- Electric Discharges;
- Cavity Resonators;
- Costs;
- Gas Flow;
- Lasers and Masers