Simple RF-excited CO2 laser

The construction of a simple RF-excited low power carbon dioxide laser is described. Built with ordinary materials, brass electrodes, glass strips, and PVC, an output of 0.5 to 1 W and an efficiency of 5 percent was achieved, which is comparable to a dc-discharge laser of the same size. Some advantages of radio-frequency excitation over the conventional dc-discharge design are that no high voltage power supply is necessary, positive discharge impedance eliminates ballast resistors, and electrodeless discharge excitation is possible. A simple three-stage transistor/oscillator producing about 15 W at 27.12 MHz was used as an RF source. Equipped with a reflection grating, the laser may be used for low-power laboratory spectroscopic work and for development of optical components in the 10 micron range.