KINETIC MODEL OF ELECTRIC-DISCHARGE СО2-LASER WITH FAST FLOW

Abstract

The paper presents a kinetic model of CW electric-discharge CO₂-laser with fast flow. Expressions linking a non-saturated gain ratio, saturation intensity and output power of the fast-flow laser with excitation rates and relaxation times of laser levels have been obtained in the paper. The paper demonstrates that the higher excitation and flow rates or higher saturation intensity provide considerably higher specific output power of the fast-flow CO₂-laser in comparison with a sealed-off CO₂-laser. While maintaining a steady discharge the same output power of the fast-flow CO₂-laser may be obtained under various discharge conditions and combinations of fast flow rate, gas mixture composition and active media temperature.