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

In this article, an experimental study of a miniature, sealed-off, high-rep etition-rate transversely excited atmospheric-pressure (TEA) CO2 laser with a kind of surface-wire-corona preionization (SWCP) is described. We have u tilized an SWCP consisting of SiO2 dielectric tube and a fine wire strained and attached to the dielectric surface. A BN ceramic material, which has a n extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion of about 5 x 10(-7)/degree s 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 e nergy 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 H z, the TEM00 mode of laser beam with pulse width of 60 ns was obtained. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.