Characteristics of two cathode systems for CW transversely excited CO 2 lasers

The operational characteristics of CW transversely excited CO 2 lasers were investigated for two cathode systems: newly developed bar cathode and conventional multipin cathode. CO 2 lasers employing both cathode systems had similar output characteristics and gave about 10 kW output and about 19 percent efficiency. Oscillation mode patterns and discharge stabilities differed a little from each other, that is, the former had less uniform mode and less stability than the latter. However, the studies showed that we should be able to make discharge stable, and to get a uniform gain distribution and a uniform oscillation mode with a cathode system consisting of variously shaped bars.