TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 16/1976
By R C Crafer and S J Bloomer
Background
A simplified theoretical approach to the design of continuous wave lasers is described, and compared with real operating data taken from The Welding Institute's 2kW carbon dioxide Laser. In general terms the model describes gross laser characteristics in a satisfactory manner and predicts optimum power output and resonator configurations for any given laser medium.
In the particular case of the 2kW laser there is good numerical agreement between observed values of power output and optimum mirror reflectivity and predicted values based on measurements of the fundamental Laser parameters in a similar laser medium.
Further analysis of the model allows predictions to be made as to the final performance of the 2kW laser.