Helium argon carbon dioxide

The operating principle of a carbon dioxide laser, or CO₂ laser, is based on the transition of CO₂ molecules between specific energy levels to generate laser light. A CO₂ laser is a type of molecular gas laser that uses carbon dioxide (CO₂) as its primary working gas; typically, nitrogen (N₂) and helium (He) are also added as auxiliary gases to optimize the laser generation process.

Service Hotline:

+86 0730-8555501

Category:

Mixed gas

Keywords:

Consult now

Recommended

Product Details

The operating principle of a carbon dioxide laser, or CO₂ laser, is based on the transition of CO₂ molecules between specific energy levels to generate laser light. A CO₂ laser is a molecular gas laser that uses carbon dioxide (CO₂) as its primary working gas; typically, nitrogen (N₂) and helium (He) are also added as auxiliary gases to optimize the laser generation process.

The operating principle of a carbon dioxide laser can be summarized in the following steps:

‌ Energy excitation Energy is introduced into carbon dioxide molecules via electrical or optical excitation, causing them to transition from a lower energy level to a higher energy level. In carbon dioxide lasers, the commonly used excitation method is electrical discharge excitation: a high-voltage electric field is applied between two electrodes, ionizing the gas and generating a plasma that subsequently excites the carbon dioxide molecules.

‌ Energy level transition The excited carbon dioxide molecules are in an unstable, high-energy state. They quickly return to lower energy levels either through non-radiative transitions—transitions that do not involve the emission of photons—or through radiative transitions—transitions that do involve the emission of photons. In a carbon dioxide laser, specific energy-level transitions—for example, from an excited state to the ground state—emit photons at particular wavelengths, and these photons constitute the laser beam.

‌ Optical resonator To enhance the intensity and directionality of the laser, carbon dioxide lasers are typically equipped with an optical resonator. The resonator consists of two mirrors: one is a fully reflective mirror, and the other is a partially reflective mirror (known as the output mirror). As the laser beam bounces back and forth within the resonator, it undergoes further amplification each time it passes through the active gas. Eventually, when the laser intensity reaches a certain threshold, it emerges through the output mirror, forming a highly focused, highly directional laser beam.

The wavelength of a carbon dioxide laser typically falls within the far-infrared region, at around 10.6 micrometers, making it highly suitable for applications in material processing, medicine, and scientific research. For instance, in material processing, carbon dioxide lasers can be used for cutting, welding, and drilling; in the medical field, they are employed in dermatological and ophthalmological surgeries; and in scientific research, carbon dioxide lasers are often utilized in applications such as spectral analysis and lidar.

Hydrogen chloride-based laser mixing gas

Boron trichloride mixed gas

Recommended