A new design for rf-excited CO2 lasers

In this paper a new ‘four-pole’ electrode design for radiofrequency excited CO₂ lasers is described. Here, the two functions of the discharge tube, rf-excitation and dischare cooling can be optimized separataly. With a symmetric rf excitation technique electromagnstic interference is also minimized. A prototype laser with 50 cm cavity length produced about 2.5 W laser output power at 5% efficiency.