von Bergmann, HMForbes, ARoberts, TBotha, LR2008-09-102008-09-102008-08von Bergmann, HM, Forbes, A, Roberts, T and Botha, LR. 2008. Acoustic waves in transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser discharges: effect on performance and reduction techniques. Optical Engineering, Vol. 47(8), pp 084202-1 - 084202-70091-3286http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2461Copyright 2008: Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation EngineersResults are presented on the influence of acoustic waves on the performance of high-repetition-rate TEA CO2 lasers. It is shown that acoustic waves generated inside the laser cavity lead to nonuniform discharges, resulting in a deterioration of the laser beam quality, decreased output energy, and an increase in pulse-to-pulse energy variation. The effect of the gas mix on the acoustic behaviour is investigated, and experimental results on laser performance across a range of gas mixtures are presented. Methods to reduce the effects of acoustic waves are presented together with experimental results. The influence of acoustic damping measures on laser gain are demonstrated, showing a significant improvement in gain and output power at high pulse repetition ratesenAcoustic wavesTEA CO2 lasersStanding wavesBeam qualityArticlevon Bergmann, H., Forbes, A., Roberts, T., & Botha, L. (2008). Acoustic waves in transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser discharges: effect on performance and reduction techniques. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2461von Bergmann, HM, A Forbes, T Roberts, and LR Botha "Acoustic waves in transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser discharges: effect on performance and reduction techniques." (2008) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2461von Bergmann H, Forbes A, Roberts T, Botha L. Acoustic waves in transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser discharges: effect on performance and reduction techniques. 2008; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2461.TY - Article AU - von Bergmann, HM AU - Forbes, A AU - Roberts, T AU - Botha, LR AB - Results are presented on the influence of acoustic waves on the performance of high-repetition-rate TEA CO2 lasers. It is shown that acoustic waves generated inside the laser cavity lead to nonuniform discharges, resulting in a deterioration of the laser beam quality, decreased output energy, and an increase in pulse-to-pulse energy variation. The effect of the gas mix on the acoustic behaviour is investigated, and experimental results on laser performance across a range of gas mixtures are presented. Methods to reduce the effects of acoustic waves are presented together with experimental results. The influence of acoustic damping measures on laser gain are demonstrated, showing a significant improvement in gain and output power at high pulse repetition rates DA - 2008-08 DB - ResearchSpace DP - CSIR KW - Acoustic waves KW - TEA CO2 lasers KW - Standing waves KW - Beam quality LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2008 SM - 0091-3286 T1 - Acoustic waves in transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser discharges: effect on performance and reduction techniques TI - Acoustic waves in transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser discharges: effect on performance and reduction techniques UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2461 ER -