An Electrically Excited Gas-Dynamic Carbon Monoxide Laser

Abstract
A carbon monoxide laser is reported which utilizes a glow discharge in the plenum of a supersonic nozzle. The discharge selectively excites the CO vibrational mode, while the gas translational temperature remains relatively cold. Continuous output is obtained from optical cavities established transverse to the flow at two nozzle area ratios. Maximum laser power obtained to date is 6.8 W corresponding to an efficiency of 0.6%, based on electrical power input.