Influence of Peaking Capacitance on the Output Power of Capacitive-Discharge-Pumped Metal Halide Vapor Lasers

This paper presents the study of the energy characteristics of CuBr and CuCl lasers pumped by a longitudinal capacitive discharge. It is shown that with the peaking capacitor connected to the electrodes of a gas-discharge tube of capacitive-discharge-pumped metal halide vapor laser, the lasing power can significantly increase. The optimum value of peaking capacitance varies from 25% to 60% of the value of the capacitive electrodes serial connection. The introduction of HBr additive into the active volume significantly improves laser performance and requires greater peaking capacitance than operation without active additive. The most increase in the output power corresponds to small diameter tubes and amounts 50%, in tubes of large diameter an increase amounts 20%-40%. Currently, the maximum average lasing power of 15 W has been achieved for the capacitive-discharge-pumped metal vapor laser.