Development of a sealed-off cw CO₂ laser using a supported gold catalyst

Abstract

A compact low-power long-life sealed-off cw CO₂ laser has been developed by incorporating a catalyst-coated outer jacket that helps to regenerate CO₂ from the dissociation products formed during discharge. Maintaining the catalyst at an optimized temperature prevented CO₂ adsorption in its bulk and resulted in the required level of CO oxidation activity. The laser system has been operated during the day for the past five months at a constant output level of about 4 W. The gas analysis performed at different catalyst temperatures suggests that although the presence of CO in large amounts is detrimental, an optimum concentration of carbon monoxide supports the CO₂ laser operation.