Plasma vs. rf interactions in fast-flow CO2 high-power lasers

Tuan M. Le; Heinz Basalka; Markus Bohrer; Dieter Schuoecker

doi:10.1117/12.311907

24 June 1998 Plasma vs. rf interactions in fast-flow CO2 high-power lasers

Tuan M. Le, Heinz Basalka, Markus Bohrer, Dieter Schuoecker

Proceedings Volume 3264, High-Power Lasers; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.311907
Event: Optoelectronics and High-Power Lasers and Applications, 1998, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Although the plasma properties of CO₂ gas lasers have been extensively investigated there seems to be remaining uncertainties concerning the achievement of an optimized plasma state giving the best possible laser efficiency. Such optimization would be especially for high power lasers where a loss of some percents in efficiency can mean a considerable decrease for the laser output. To investigate the effects of plasma vs. rf interactions in longitudinal fast-flow CO₂ lasers a sufficient adequate plasma theory is used, based on the cross-sections of all involved processes. The main interest lies in the determination of all relevant parameters such as the electric field and current density along the electrodes which have pronounced dependencies on gas temperature and pressure. Although these variables change enormously in downstream direction the model reveals plasma coefficients which stay as unchangeable constants. Moreover, as is common for longitudinal fast-flow CO₂ lasers the electrodes are slightly inclined to obtain an increased laser performance, independent of the rf matching. By a rather simple consideration of plasma and rf interactions this effect can be basically explained so that an optimization for the best attainable efficiency is possible. The calculations are compared to measurements of different authors and are applied to a 6 kW fast flow coaxial system.

Citation Download Citation

Tuan M. Le, Heinz Basalka, Markus Bohrer, and Dieter Schuoecker "Plasma vs. rf interactions in fast-flow CO2 high-power lasers", Proc. SPIE 3264, High-Power Lasers, (24 June 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.311907

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
12 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Electrodes

Plasma

Carbon dioxide lasers

Carbon dioxide

Particles

High power lasers

Molecules

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years