Parametric studies on generation of short CO2 laser pulses for IR-laser chemistry

Results of parametric studies on short CO₂ laser pulse generation by laser induced dielectric breakdown in a plasma shutter cell are described. From the rise time of such short pulses obtained, threshold breakdown intensity (I_th) has been estimated for different gases. The technique is further extended to obtain 40 ns pulses on two-frequency emission from a single TEA CO₂ laser. Pressure dependent studies of I_th are utilised to model the process of such laser induced plasma.     

Output couplers of ultra-transparent KCl and NaCl in a pulsed CO2 laser

Uncoated plane parallel windows made from ultra-transparent KCl and NaCl crystals, which were grown by ‘injecting the reactive atmosphere’ (IRA) technique, have been tested as output windows in a high-power, high-repetition TEA CO₂ laser, in various resonator configurations. Output power densities per pulse of 2 to 6 MW cm^-2, which are 40% to 60% less than with 50% reflective coated ZnSe, have normally been obtained. The laser performances did not change after one year of operation and more than 10⁷ pulses per window. No laser damage has been observed.     

Fine frequency tuning of a high power CO2 laser and its application to optically-pumped molecular lasers

We describe a novel technique for shifting the output frequency of a high power TEA CO₂ laser. The performance of a 16 μm laser is shown to be greatly improved when optically pumped by this tunable source.     

Efficient doubling and CW difference frequency mixing in the infrared using the chalcopyrite CdGeAs2

We have obtained fifteen percent average internal power conversion efficiency for second harmonic generation in CdGeAs₂ of radiation from a TEA CO₂ laser operating at 10.6 μm. This is the highest reported doubling efficiency for a CO₂ laser. We have also observed cw difference frequency mixing in CdGeAs₂ at wavelengths between 11.4 and 16.8 μm using grating-tuned CO and CO₂ lasers. The CdGeAs₂ crystals are significantly improved in size and optical quality over those previously available.     

XPS investigation on Upilex-S polyimide ablated by pulse TEA CO2 laser

Laser ablation of Upilex-S polyimide films 80 μm thick was performed in air using a pulse TEA CO₂ laser with wavelength 9.3 μm. A halo surrounding the hole was observed, which is covered with sub-micro particles. Pieces of ablation products protrude from the ablated surface, leading to considerable roughness of the ablated area. Chemical and structural changes of Upilex-S polyimide film surface irradiated by the pulse TEA CO₂ laser in air were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Relative C content in the ablated area was found to be higher, whilst both O and N contents were lower than in the untreated area. This means that TEA CO₂ laser ablation released both the O and N atoms. Also, the peak areas corresponding with carbonyl group (C=O) in the imide system were reduced much more and a new component at 287.0 eV assigned to the amide structure (N---C=O) was detected after laser ablation. These suggest that the pyrolysis of the Upilex-S polyimide was the decomposition of the imide ring between the nitrogen/aromatic carbon atom and carbonyl carbon atom. In addition, another new component arising from >C=O groups was also detected for higher fluence (7.83 J/cm²), and its peak areas is very small. This result indicates that the slight oxidation may take place with higher fluence during laser ablation in air. Based on above-mentioned experimental results, a possible thermally-induced decomposition path of Upilex-S polyimide ablated by TEA CO₂ laser is presented.     

Detection of small N2O concentrations using a frequency doubled CO2 laser

A reliable procedure for remote high-accuracy laser detection of N₂O as one of the principal destroyers of the protective ozone layer of the Earth has been developed. The procedure is based on using a CO₂-laser system emitting efficiently in the 4.5 μm range. In this case lasing from isotopic modification ¹²C¹⁸O₂ of carbon dioxide with its subsequent frequency doubling by a nonlinear crystal is used. With the object of reducing the price the composition of the active medium (both for TEA laser and low-pressure longitudinal-discharge-excitation laser) has been optimized. New high-efficiency intracavity frequency doubling schemes based on nonlinear AgGaSe₂ crystals have been developed for CO₂-lasers of both types. Low concentrations of N₂O and concentrations of the principal background gases CO and H₂O have been measured under real atmosphere conditions with the aid of the lidar complex built around these lasers.     

Power scaling of printed-circuit-board preionized TEA CO2 laser up to 3.6 kW

A high average power, high-repetition-rate TEA CO₂ laser employing printed-circuit-board preionizer is described. The power scaling of this preionization configuration has been demonstrated. The average output power reaches 3.6 kW at pulse repetition rate of 180 pps. Furthermore, the scaling-up ability of the rotating spark gap as high-voltage switch for high-average-power gas laser has been validated.     

Various techniques for multiline operation of TEA CO2 lasers

The various techniques used for multiline operation of TEA CO₂ lasers are reviewed with particular reference to the multiline laser parameters of interest in laser applications.     

Configuration analysis of the resonator in a double-pulse TEA CO2 laser

This paper describes the resonator configuration of a double-pulse TEA CO₂ laser, and discusses how to obtain single-mode operation in that configuration.     

温度压强对CO_2吸收光谱的影响

为了提高差分吸收CO2探测激光雷达的反演精度,本文采用可调谐半导体激光吸收光谱技术,利用双光路差分实验系统,在不同温度和压强下精确探测了CO2吸收谱线(1.572μm附近)的精细结构,分析了吸收光谱谱型的变化差异,获得了5个温度(287K,297K,311K,315K,324K)的压力增宽系数和吸收截面,推算出了CO2的温度相关指数.这些参数是对现有数据库的补充和完善,确保差分吸收CO2探测激光雷达的精确反演,从而提高其探测能力.     

A new method of exciting uniform discharges for high pressure lasers

A new type of TEA CO₂ laser is described, employing a short, high-voltage pulse to create a uniform discharge by field emission from a wire cathode. Marx generator pulses of 500 kV amplitude and 20 nsec duration were applied to the laser electrodes.     

Mathematical modeling of CO2 TEA laser

Five and six-temperature models for the CO₂–N₂–He system are used to describe the process of the dynamic emission in the TEA CO₂ laser. All physical constants and relaxation rates related to these models are examined to estimate the output pulse parameters as a function of the input parameters. The two pumping processes implemented; empirical function and differential equation show a good agreement with the experimental data.     

激光分离卵磷脂混合物的实验研究

对于沸点相近并且分子自由程相差不大的物质,常规分离方法难以实现有效的分离,激光分离有效地弥补了常规分离方法的不足.用脉冲CO2激光器和连续CO2激光器对大豆卵磷脂混合物进行了激光分离实验,用高效液相色谱对激光辐照前后的样品进行了分析.经192.31 W/cm2的脉冲CO2激光辐照,卵磷脂的质量分数相对提高了26.7%,...     

Infrared fluorescence from exciting the v1 and v8 modes of CF2Cl2 with a TEA CO2 laser

Infrared fluorescence from CF₂Cl₂ molecules excited with a TEA CO₂ laser below dissociation threshold, is time resolved with a HgCdTe detector without spectral resolution in the range 1100-700 cm^-1. The signal fits well to a sum of three exponentials, which are interpreted as a bulk vibration-vibration (V-V) energy transfer between the fraction of highly excited and non-excited molecules in the irradiated volume, vibro-translation (V-T) deactivation and diffusional heat and mass transport to the surrounding. The measured V-V and V-T rates increase with vibrational excitation and the V-T deactivation is independent on the observed modes (v₁/v₆ or v₈) if v₈ or v₁ are excited respectively.     

Cold-cathode, glow-discharge, electron-beam gun pumped short pulse CO2 lasers

A pulsed cold-cathode glow-discharge electron beam gun emitting an electron-beam of 150 keV energy and 45 cm² cross-sectional area has been used to pump a short pulse CO₂ laser. A fast discharge capacitor bank was used to help make the design simpler than that employed in liquid coaxial lines. The system developed is capable of producing a CO₂ laser pulse of 1 J for about 200 ns duration.     

Characterization and frequency measurement of a new far infrared laser line from CHin2Fin2

We present the discovery and frequency measurement of a new FIR laser line from CH₂F₂ optically pumped by a waveguide CO₂ laser. This new line has the same CO₂ laser pump line (9R32), offset (+5 MHz) and relative polarization of the strongest FIR laser line of CH₂F₂, namely the 184.3μm. The frequency is only 19,454 MHz apart from that of this line. We got a frequency measurement of 1,646,196.6 (10) MHz, which corresponds to a wavelength of 182.112 μm.     

NO2ν2振动带的CO2激光磁共振垂直谱的观测

采用高灵敏度、高分辨率激光磁共振光谱(LMR)方法,使用CO₂激光器测量了分子NO₂v₂振动带的垂直谱(△M_J=±1).观测到了前人没有测过的新谱,在22支激光谱线下新获得100支塞曼(Zeeman)跃迁谱线。     

Mathematical modeling of TE CO2 laser with SF6 as a saturable absorber

A mathematical model describing the dynamic emission of a single mode TE CO₂ laser with saturable absorber has been adapted. A six-temperature model has been used to describe the amplifying medium, while a four-coupled energy level is used to describe the selective absorbing medium. The suggested mathematical model allows the investigation of the effects of the intracavity absorber on the mode characteristics of the TE CO₂ laser and, moreover, the study of the effect of the laser input parameters on the output laser pulse. The model simulates the passive Q-switch in both low- and high-pressure cases in the absorbing medium.

In addition, numerical solutions of a non-linear rate equation system of the suggested model are quantitatively discussed. The solutions describe the photon number density, the population inversion and the energy transfer processes of amplifying and absorbing media.     

Cutting and welding using a CO2 laser

Of all the types of lasers now available, the CO₂ laser is particularly suitable for materials working. It has a very high efficiency (15–20%) and a high out-put power (up to several kW). When the laser light is focused by means of a lens or a mirror, a c.w. power density of more than 10⁹ W cm^-2 can be attained. The laser need not be used in vacuum.

The CO₂ laser is a suitable cutting tool for numerous materials. These include metals such as titanium or steel; combustible materials such as paper, textiles and wood; and plastics. The CO₂ laser can also cut hard and brittle materials such as aluminum oxide and silicon carbide. If metals are cut in an oxidizing atmosphere, the cutting speed may be increased. The cutting width, however, is determined by the size of the laser spot. Another important field of application is the growth of single crystals.

Experiments are reported in which the CO₂ laser was used for welding steel, titanium, plastics, quartz, and glass. The advantages of the laser for this application are discussed. A comparative study of laser and electron beam techniques is included.     

地基CO2廓线探测差分吸收激光雷达

研制了一台利用气溶胶散射信号的CO₂廓线探测差分吸收激光雷达. 系统利用染料激光器实现波长调制, 采用双光路气体吸收池, 结合Voigt拟合方法实现了脉冲红外激光的高精度定标. 针对输出激光带宽较宽的问题, 采取仿真实验评估了影响, 并设计了基于吸收池的订正因子获取方案. 进而, 开展了水平、垂直和连续观测实验, 通过与地面CO₂分析仪测量值的对比, 证明了系统具备优越的精密性和精确性. 实验表明, 该样机能够俘获CO₂浓度随高程和时间变化而产生的变化.