Evaluation Of A Galvanometric Scanner For Rapid Tuning Of CO[sub]2[/sub] Lasers

Remote sensing of gaseous constituents in the atmosphere is possible with a single laser system operating at high (more than 100 Hz) pulse tuning rates so as to minimize the effects of atmospheric turbulence. This paper investigates the possibility of using a galvanometric scanner as a rapid tuning device for both pulsed and continuous wave CO 2 lasers. When used with a TEA laser, the galvanometer was able to switch lines as fast as 140 Hz.