Abstract

A cw CO₂ laser prototype, wherein two independent discharge channels are operated within the same mechanical structure, is described. One advantage of this structure is that it can be operated in either one of the following two ways: (1) As a single laser source in which the active medium is made up of the two channels together and by using two folding mirrors. In this case 5-kW cw power can be obtained. (2) As two independent laser sources, each one using one channel, and giving each an output power of ~2.5 kW. Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of the laser. The same 3000-rpm centrifugal blower is used to flow the gas mixture in the two discharge channels at a velocity of ~50 m/sec. The discharge is of a self-sustained and segmented type. For this purpose the cathode is made of three ballasted and cooled copper pipes, while the anode is made of a set of uncooled copper pads.

© 1984 Optical Society of America