Comparison of models of CO2-laser impedance fluctuations

Smith, A.L.S. and Moffatt, S. (1984) Comparison of models of CO2-laser impedance fluctuations. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 17 (1). pp. 71-78. ISSN 0022-3727 (https://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/17/1/011)

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Abstract

There is a large opto-galvanic effect (OGE) in CO2-N2-He laser mixtures and this is exploited in laser frequency and power stabilisation systems. Two substantially different theories have been advanced to explain the effect. The two models are compared and it is concluded that the multi-step ionisation model is not adequate to describe the OGE in CO2 lasers, but the temperature perturbation or discharge cooling model describes the phenomenon with considerable precision.