Simple and Compact Longitudinally Excited CO2 Laser Driven with A Fast High-Voltage Solid-State Switch

A simple and flexible method to realize a discharge-pumped CO 2 laser using a fast high-voltage solid-state switch is presented. A longitudinal excitation scheme that implements this simple configuration has been adapted. A fast high-voltage solid-state switch consisting of an avalanche transistor and commercially available series-connected IGBTs is coupled with a compact laser tube filled with CO2 gas to provide the excitation energy. Laser oscillation has been demonstrated successfully and has produced several millijoules of output energy.