PREIONIZER-INDUCED PULSED-MODE OPERATION OF A TRANSVERSE-FLOW TRANSVERSELY EXCITED CW CO2-LASER

A pulse-preionized, de-excited, transverse-dow, CW CO2 laser has been operated in pulsed mode without using a discharge power-switching sche me. 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 im pedance whenever a preionizer pulse appears. By properly choosing the preionizer-pulse repetition frequency, de power-supply filter-capacito r value, and gas composition, the laser pulsation has been enhanced. T his laser has been operated at 1-kW average laser power level in pulse d mode at 1.3-kHz pulse repetition frequency with a peak-to-average po wer ratio of 3.35 and laser-power modulation depth of almost 100%.