Experimental study on operation at room temperature of transverse flow carbon monoxide laser excited by radio frequency discharge

This paper encompassed subsequent experiments carried out at room temperature on a CO laser excited rf discharge. A characterization was given of the output properties that were achieved. The experimental apparatus was of transverse flow configuration, with the direction of the gas flow, electric discharge, and laser beam laid perpendicular to each other. At 289 K, the output was related to discharge input, with gas pressure as the parameter. Output was noted to be maximized at 80 h Pa, at which pressure an optimum output 665 W was obtained with an input density of 15.8 W/cm super(3), and a conversion efficiency of 10.7%. It can be stated that, in rf discharge, the uniform excitation ensured over the entire discharge space which acted to decrease the E/N value contributed to the improvement of excitation efficiency, to allow high output CO laser oscillation at room temperature. However, it was discerned that for stable output performance, constant entrance gas temperature was significant. The experimental findings in this study were found in good agreement with results of previous research. Thus, the CO laser was capable of matching the CO sub(2) laser in output and in conversion efficiency without the need of cooling below 289 K.