Abstract
Small-signal gain of a transversely excited gas-transport CO2 laser was measured as a function of species and ratios of gas mixture. Buffer gases of N2, He, CO and Ar were studied under sealed-off conditions operating at pressures of 250 Torrand 350 Torr. Maximum gain was obtained when the laser gas composition was CO: CO2: N2: He: Ar = 0.5: 1.5: 3: 5: 5. Lack of N2 or He causes a substantial decreace in small-signal gain in the gas mixture of CO, CO2, N2 and He.
It is shown that Ar is more effective than He to enhance small-signal gain. Small-signal gain is not so affected by an addition of a small amount of CO. The addition of CO makes a glow discharge stable but the addition of Ar tends to make it unstable.
