Abstract

This presentation will be a review of current, un-classified, high-power gas-laser technology. Here high power is defined as exceeding 1000-W average power. Because almost all industrial applications that use gas lasers use the cw electrically excited CO₂ laser, this device will be emphasized. A brief discussion of other high-power gas lasers, such as CO, TEA CO₂, chemical, excitation-transfer, and excimer lasers, will also be included as these lasers may be candidates for future industrial systems.

© 1976 Optical Society of America