A Power Supply for a Gas-Discharge Laser Based on a Lithium–Polymer Battery

The results of experimental studies are presented and the experience of operating the power supply of a continuous gas laser, which is based on a lithium–polymer storage battery without an intermediate voltage converter, is analyzed. The long-term (more than 4-year) operation of a high-voltage battery power supply as a component of a laser system with an open-circuit voltage of 7.76 kV, a load voltage of 6.1 kV, a load current of up to 250 A, a power higher than 1.5 MVA, and a stored energy of 550 MJ is demonstrated. The response time of the switch for disconnecting the load in the case of breakdowns in the discharge chamber did not exceed 120 μs. The results of measurements of the internal resistance of the batteries and its changes during operation are presented.