Abstract

High power pulsed electron beam controlled discharge (EBCD) N₂O laser (λ.~10.9 µ) has been created. The laser energy is two orders of magnitude higher than that of known for pulsed electric discharge N₂O lasers. The influence of the molecular (N₂, CO) and atomic (He, Ar, Xe) gases on the energy characteristics has been studied experimentally. The optimal ration between the active medium N₂O and carbon monoxide is close to 1 : 6. Optimal He concentration in N₂O : CO :He mixture is 30%. Partial substitution of carbon monxide for nitrogen in a four-component mixture N₂O : (CO : N₂) : He leads to the decrease of the input energy and the output energy as well. Replacement of He for Ar or Xe does not allow one to increase the laser energy. The output energy 106 J, specific output energy 36 J/l, efficiency 10% have been obtained in EBCD N₂O laser with active volume 101. The specific and temporal laser characteristics have been studied. The frequency tuning over P and R bands have obtained. The dependence of small signal gain (SSG) on input energy, gas pressure and temperature has been studied. The excitation efficiency in EBCD and relaxation constant of N₂O laser levels have been estimated. High power EBCD N₂O laser can be applied to laser spectroscopy, photochemistry and for optical pumping of the far IR and submillimeter lasers.

© 1992 IQEC