COMPUTATIONAL MODEL OF LONGITUDINAL DISCHARGE UNIFORMITY IN RF-EXCITED CO2 SLAB LASERS

A computational model is used to predict longitudinal excitation unifo rmity in large-area electrodes for RF-excited CO2 lasers. Effects of n onuniform discharge loading along the electrode transmission line are accounted for in the model, as is the dependence of;discharge properti es on power loading, excitation frequency, gas pressure, and electrode geometry. Predictions of excitation uniformity are tested against mea surements of discharge luminosity, Good agreement is demonstrated, Sin ce the model is valid over the range of discharge conditions interesti ng to slab CO2 lasers, it should applicable to the problem of slab ele ctrode optimization.