Discharge stability and performance of a small-bore, fast-axial-few CO2 laser using new pin anodes

The output performance of a small-bore, fast-axial-Row CO2 laser was invest igated and different anode configurations which all employed a 3 mm dischar ge pin were compared. It was found that a simple washer attached to the pin enhanced the discharge stability and enabled the input power to be increas ed, and hence the peak laser output power. An additional perforated plate i mproved the flow radial uniformity, thus raising the laser output slope eff iciency. The effects of the washer on the discharge stability and the laser output performance were largely explained by the measured voltage-current characteristics.