Investigation and operation of a carbon dioxide TEA laser

Lasing has been achieved at 10.6 microns using a double discharge C02 TEA configuration. The double discharge configuration utilizes three electrodes. The third, "trigger," electrode in this particular device consists of glass encapsulated nichrome wires. The third electrode is responsible for corona formation—the dominant preionization mechanism. A parametric analysis of the discharge was conducted. The discharge was found to be dependent on the gas mixture, the gas flow rate, the voltage rise time and the voltage pulse shape. It was found that satisfactory discharge operation leading to lasing was limited to a very small region of parameter space having a helium percentage of not less than90% (with 5% C0~ and 5% N„), and a rise time on the order of 3 usee. Lasing action yielded 5 joules/pulse. The energy was limited by the optical components used, and it is felt that the energy can be increased to approximately 18 joules/ pulse using different circuit parameters in conjunction with improved optical components.http://archive.org/details/investigationope00bassLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited