Transversely Excited Atmospheric Pressure Co2 Lasers

Laser action at 10. 6 μm has been achieved in CO2–N2–He gas mixtures at all pressures up to atmospheric by means of fast electrical discharges transverse to the laser axis. The atmospheric pressure of operation is very promising as the laser energy per pulse increases with pressure and the average power per unit volume is proportional to the square of the operating pressure. A brief description of a simple laser of this type, operating at atmospheric pressure is given along with some of the major achievements to date using this technique.