Characteristics of Turbulent Flow Stabilized DC-Discharges for CO₂ Lasers

Abstract

An original aerodynamic technique was developed for achieving uniform axial dc-discharges in CO₂ gas mixtures Basic investigations of the discharge characteristics were conducted In open-gas cycle through measurements of both thermodynamic and electric properties of the discharge and of the small-signal gain coefficient at 10.6 μm. Uniform and stable axial dc-discharges were achieved in 3 to 10-cm diameter tubes at total pressure between 40–60 mbar. The volumetric input power density was 5 and 2.6 W/cm³ for the 5 and 10-cm diameter tube, respectively. The specific power was dose to 600 kW/kg/s. The small-signal gain coefficient averaged over the 80-cm discharge length was found to be 0.60 and 0.45 % per cm for the 5 and 10-cm tube, respectively.