Two methods of operation of a CO2transversely excited waveguide laser

Abstract
The operation of a CO2 transversely excited (TE) waveguide laser using capacitor discharge excitation and pulser sustainer excitation results in specific output energy densities of 85 mJ m-3 Pa-1 and 113 mJ m-3 Pa-1 respectively. The 3.7% efficiency achieved for the laser when operated in the pulser-sustainer mode is the highest reported for a CO2 TE waveguide laser. Assessment of the waveguide losses results in a correct prediction for the polarisation of the laser output. Consideration of the sustainer discharge allows the arcing limit of the discharge and the form of the sustainer current to be determined.