ENERGY-DISSIPATION IN THE ELECTRODES OF CUBR LASER-LIKE DISCHARGES

Energy dissipation in the electrodes of CuBr laser pulsed discharges h as been studied in a gaseous environment relevant to a copper vapour l aser and with discharge length scaling. The power lost in the electrod es significantly increases not only with a decrease in electrode separ ation but also more compounds are added to the medium. The total energ y losses in both electrodes range from similar to 10% to similar to 30 % of the storage capacitor energy. This contributes much to the low ef ficiency of a copper vapour laser. The result cannot be explained by a simple redistribution of electrical power between the discharge plasm a and the electrodes proportionally to their impedance-pre-electrode p rocesses must also be considered.