Preionizer-induced pulsed-mode operation of a transverse-flow transversely excited CW CO2 laser

Abstract

A pulse-preionized, de-excited, transverse-dow, CW CO2 laser has been operated in pulsed mode without using a discharge power-switching scheme. The pulsation in laser power is produced by a pulsed current that flows from the de power supply due to the collapse in the discharge impedance whenever a preionizer pulse appears. By properly choosing the preionizer-pulse repetition frequency, de power-supply filter-capacitor value, and gas composition, the laser pulsation has been enhanced. This laser has been operated at 1-kW average laser power level in pulsed mode at 1.3-kHz pulse repetition frequency with a peak-to-average power ratio of 3.35 and laser-power modulation depth of almost 100%.