A simple high energy TEA CO laser

A high-energy pulsed TEA CO laser for possible chemical applications has been obtained by the modification of a 40-J CO2 laser. The discharge takes place between two Rogowski electrodes, with a UV photoionization unit inserted in the cathode and a mixture of He, N2, CO and tri-n-propylamine as the lasing medium. Stable discharges were obtained at moderate temperatures (-20 C), and optimization of the gas mixture for maximum energy output has lead to a laser energy of up to 5 J, with an efficiency of 2%. By increasing gas pressure and resonator losses, it has been demonstrated that the laser pulse width can be narrowed and laser energy can be concentrated on a few lines.