ABSTRACT
The carbon dioxide (CO2) laser satisfied expectations of scientists and engineers concerning high-power lasers and, consequently, applications of a laser as such in many branches of science and technology. CO2 lasers are applied in industries for cutting, welding, drilling; in medicine for surgery (some noncontact and noninvasive procedures), using photons, rather than scalpels; in the environment to detect pollution and to analyze some compositions of the atmosphere; in communications; and in military applications. It is obvious that a longer laser medium corresponds to higher output power. In the case of DC excitation, it creates some problems with plasma ignition. DC-excited conventional CO2 lasers are often designed as a system of tubes in series to increase the length of the common laser resonator. Radio Frequency (RF)-Excited Discharge method of laser active medium excitation plays a significant role to ensure the maximum population inversion of levels taking part in laser action.
