Abstract
We have studied and developed a high efficiency and a high repetition rate transversely excited atmospheric pressure CO2 laser by an all solid-state pulsed power generator. The pulsed power generator consists of a high speed turn-on static induction thyristor and a single-stage magnetic pulse compression circuit using a saturable transformer. The static induction thyristor was improved in the switching speed and a switching loss. The saturable transformer with a Fe-based nano-crystalline magnetic core has two functions of voltage gain and pulse compression. The maximum switching voltage was 4.1 kV. The output voltage was 34.5 kV. On the other hand, the laser head is consisted of uniform field main discharge electrodes and corona preionized electrodes. Maximum laser energy of 3.2 J was obtained. The energy transfer efficiency of the pulsed power generator was 93% and the laser efficiency of 13.8% was obtained. An overall laser efficiency of 12.9% was obtained. The high speed static induction thyristor and the simple magnetic pulse compression circuit realized the high energy transfer efficiency and the high laser efficiency.
