THE NASA HIGH-POWER CARBON DIOXIDE LASER A VERSATILEfoOL FOR LASER APPLICATIONS by R. B. Lancashire, D. L. Alger, E. J. Manista,

The NASA Lewis Research Center has designed and fabricated a closed-cycle, continuous wave (CW), carbon dioxide (COj) high-power laser to support research for the indentlflcatlon and evaluation of possible high-power laser applications. The device Is designed to generate up to 70 kW of laser power In annular-shape beams from 1 to 9 cm In diameter. Electric discharge, either self-sustained or electron-beam-sustalned, Is used for excitation. This laser facility can be used In two ways. First, It provides a versatile tool on which research can be performed to advance the -state-of-the-art technology of high-power COj lasers . ' • In'such areas as electric excitation, laser chemistry, and quality of output beams, all of "j which are important whether the laser application Is government or Industry oriented. Sec«$ ond, the facility provides a well-defined, continuous wave beam for various application exw perlments, such as propulsion, power conversion, and materials processing.