Miniature high-repetition-rate TEA CO2 laser with surface-wire-corona preionization

In this article, an experimental study of a miniature, sealed-off, high-repetition-rate transversely excited atmospheric-pressure (TEA) CO2 laser with a kind of surface-wire-corona preionization (SWCP) is described. We have utilized an SWCP consisting of SiO2 dielectric tube and a fine wire strained and attached to the dielectric surface. A BN ceramic material, which has an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion of about 5 x 10(-7)/degrees C was employed as a supporter of the resonator. A measurement on emission spectra of SWCP has been reported. By applying SWCP to the TEA CO2 laser, efficient laser operation at an overall efficiency of 9.8% with an output energy of 150 mJ has been achieved from a small discharge volume of 25 cm(3) with an active length of 230 mm. At the pulse repetition frequency of 60 Hz, the TEM00 mode of laser beam with pulse width of 60 ns was obtained. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.