Power Stabilization Of High-Power Co Laser By Gas-Composition Control

Long time, stable operation of a high-power discharge-excited CO laser has been attained by controlling the laser gas composition. Firstly, stable obtainable laser output power was measured against the quantities of CO2 and of O2 added to the laser gas. Next, laser gas composition was recorded during sealed-off operation with various initial gas conditions and cooling conditions. Finally, the detractive effect of O2 (added to enhance attainable output power through discharge stabilization) of quickening CO2 generation and CO depletion, was counteracted through continuous extraction of the laser gas and parallel replacement with fresh gas of predetermined composition. The resulting stabilization of the laser gas composition reduced output power variations to +/- 3% at 3 kW power level.